acquisition of Bermuda-registered ADT Ltd. is in no danger of falling apart, though the two sides are talking about a possible change in the price, a spokesman said on Friday.

"Obviously, there are ongoing discussions because the stock is down,'' said Ron Castell, a Republic spokesman. "The deal is not dead.'' ADT declined to comment.

The original plan called for Republic, controlled by billionaire H. Wayne Huizenga, to buy ADT for stock and assumed debt. Local resident, Michael DeGroote, is Republic's second largest shareholder through a Bermuda holding company.

ADT was to receive 0.93 a share of Republic stock at $27.16 a share, according to an ADT spokewoman. Republic's stock is down 14 percent to about 26 since the two companies announced the agreement July 1. With the decline, the transaction was worth $22.75 a share at yesterday's close.

The New York Post reported on Friday that ADT, the largest security company in North America and the UK, would snub the offer because of Republic's stock price.

"If ADT holders have their sights set on a $26 value in order to get the deal done, Republic may have to increase the conversion ratio,'' said Andrew Jeffrey, an analyst at Robertson Stephens.

He expressed confidence, though, that the agreement was still on. Shares of ADT rose 3/8 to 19 1/8 in late trading of 3.69 million, more than three times the three-month daily average of 910,200. The stock was the ninth-most actively traded on US exchanges.

Republic's shares rose 1/2 to 25 in trading of 1.76 million, less than the three-month daily average of 1.95 million.

The day before the transaction was announced last month, Republic's stock traded at 29 1/8.

The Post story, which quoted unnamed industry sources, said ADT's board was due to meet on Friday to decide whether to call off the agreement.

An ADT spokeswoman wouldn't say if the board met.

Jeffrey, the Robertson Stephens analyst, said that the company told him the board didn't meet.