Rumours that IBM and AMD are in negotiations over a merger have re-surfaced again following frantic share movements on Wall Street. For some weeks, investors have questioned whether IBM should split its shares which closed on Wall Street last Friday at $164 1/4, up three quarters on the day. Meanwhile, AMD's share price rose by nearly two dollars on Friday on rumours of the acquisition and stood at $31 3/8. Over four million AMD shares were traded that day. According to speculators, IBM has realised it must make a pre-emptive strike on the PC front, and with the AMD price rising so high, so fast, now would be the time to do so. It is not the first time such a rumour has been mooted. It is known that earlier on this year the two companies were in talks. (Story: IBM set to buy AMD, Gateway? also Yield rises at AMD, but so do rumours) No-one at AMD UK was prepared to comment on a possible acquisition. ®