Which of the following is the best definition of a stock exchange bid?

Question 7 options:

	A merger in which a new firm is created and both the acquired and acquiring firm cease to exist.
	A public offer by one firm to directly buy the shares from another firm.
	Corporate takeover bid communicated to shareholders by direct mail.
	Corporate takeover bid communicated to the shareholders through a stock exchange.
	The complete absorption of one company by another, where the acquiring firm retains its identity and the acquired firm ceases to exist as a separate entity.