I don't like the consolidation at all. Personally I believe a higher silver price is all that is needed to get the SP moving higher. With the antics going on in the banking industry (Cyprus, Slovenia, Greece, UK, etc) I believe money will flow into PM stocks in a short period of time. I honestly don't think institutional money will come pouring in by virtue of a higher SP.
Why not continue to buy shares back? With the SP so low it would seem like a no-brainer to yours truly.
EXN pretty much has the best grades in the biz! If UC were to ever drill Copaquin, they could be close but that's about it.
I'm with you entirely WB on their stock option plan. I don't like it one bit. FWIW