Reuters receives takeover approach

Approach by unidentified bidder sends Reuters shares soaring by up to 32 per cent.

Reuters
Reuters shares were up as much as 32 per cent, valuing the business at about $16.3 bn [AFP]

Reuters shares were up as much as 32 per cent at 649.75 pence on Friday, valuing the business at about $16.3 bn.

   

“We believe the most likely bidder is Thomson, which is already a player in the financial space and, with the sale of its College Education business for $5 billion well advanced, has the firepower to fund a deal,” Numis Securities analysts wrote in a research note.

 

They forecast any bid was likely to be in the range of 610 pence a share to 660 pence, while other analysts, said they could imagine a trade buyer offering up to 750 pence a share.

   

Media shares have surged since News Corp unveiled a $60-a-share-bid for Dow Jones on Tuesday – a 65 per cent premium to The Wall Street Journal publisher’s closing price on Monday.

 

Dow Jones also competes with Reuters, Thomson and privately-owned Bloomberg in providing real-time financial news.

   

One banking source said Thomson was unlikely to be able to pay for a deal fully in cash and that it might also face scrutiny from anti-monopoly regulators.

   

“The board of Reuters confirms it has received a preliminary approach from a third party which may or may not lead to an offer being made for Reuters,” Reuters said in its statement on Friday.

   

“There is no certainty an offer will be made or necessary approvals, including those required under Reuters constitution, will be received.”

 

Traders and analysts also cited web search giant Google, software group Microsoft and private equity groups, possibly working with management, as potential bidders.

Source: News Agencies