Amid growing anticipation of a potential takeover and breakup, the announcement of United Internet AG and Drillisch's decision not to pursue Freenet led to a 6.3% drop in Freenet shares, resulting in a decline of EUR0.71 in Frankfurt trade to EUR10.65. This development dashed investors' hopes and elicited a negative sentiment in the market as they gave up on the speculated acquisition and restructuring of Freenet.