A number of analysts said yesterday there were rumors that Starwood's sagging stock price might make the company susceptible to an unsolicited takeover or leveraged buyout.

Mr. McCreevy's broadside came the same day that Thierry Breton, the finance minister of France, proposed legislation limiting unsolicited takeovers.

But the unsolicited takeovers that have actually been completed involved much smaller banks.

The use of their money in an unsolicited takeover is not prohibited, but it could embarrass the investors, who may not want to be seen as threatening a well-known company's management.

He characterized the offer as "posturing" on the part of the pilots, in expectation of an unsolicited takeover of the company.

July 26, 2012 - Rona rejects an unsolicited takeover by American Lowe's.

It follows recent legislative moves, for instance, in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Indiana, Delaware and other states that make unsolicited takeovers more difficult.

The computer company, which has been trying to avoid Mr. Edelman's unsolicited takeover, said it would pay shareholders a special $775 million dividend unless the takeover went through.

Mr. Stookey denied that the recapitalization plan was designed to frustrate an unsolicited takeover.

IT is hard enough for a company to decide what to do when an unsolicited takeover offer lands on its doorstep.