My assumption that the JV has not been completed yet is based only on the fact that there has not been a substantial increase in volume and price. Of course, it is possible that the JV has been concluded and everyone involved is complying with insider trading laws, and thus no change in volume and price. It does happen occasionally- we have all seen stocks that did not have an unusual increase in volume and price just before a major news announcement.
If the people involved in this deal are certain that it will be announced by a certain date, then that would tend to suggest that the JV has been completed. That's what I was hoping Mike might be able to shed more light on- the degree of certainty that the news will be released by the end of the month.