Hardball: Energy Transfer (ETE) tells Southern Union (NYSE:SUG) it can’t hold deal talks...

Hardball: Energy Transfer (ETE) tells Southern Union (NYSE:SUG) it can’t hold deal talks with Williams (NYSE:WMB), after WMB's $4.9B bid for the natural gas pipeline operator topped ETE's earlier $4.2B offer. SO's board “is not permitted by the merger agreement to engage in any discussions or negotiations with Williams,” says an SEC filing, and can't hand over “non-public information” to Williams.