Reuters confirmed it has received a preliminary takeover approach from an unnamed suitor after shares jumped as much as 30 percent on the London Stock Exchange early this morning on investor speculation of an imminent bid from Thomson or even News Corp.
One analyst quoted by Reuters said Thomson was the most likely bidder because it will enjoy a $5 billion payday from offloading its education business. The value would be in the range of £6.10 to £6.60 ($12.20 to $13.20) per share, and Reuters was trading in that range today this morning. Earlier speculation of a £6-per-share offer would value Reuters at £7.5 billion ($15 billion).
Either Rupert Murdoch is in the market for some financial information company, any financial information company, or we are now witnessing a pattern as the players size each other up for multiple consolidations in the sector. It was only earlier this week that Murdoch’s News Corp. made a $5 billion takeover offer for Dow Jones – but maybe it’s looking for a Plan B. NYTimes: “As for the possible bidders, while Mr Murdoch seems intent on seeing his bid for Dow Jones through to a final conclusion, the Bancroft family, Dow Jones