Shares in Paris-listed Atos Origin have jumped on speculation that US private equity firm Blackstone is in talks to takeover the French IT services group in a deal worth around EUR3.6 billion.
Atos shares were up 13.85% to EUR43.64 in lunchtime trading, having earlier hit EUR46.30, following a report by London's City AM newspaper which says Blackstone's London team entered into friendly talks with Atos Origin in mid-September.
Citing a source close to the discussions, the report says that talks centred on a bid premium of 35-40%, or EUR51-54 per share, valuing the deal at between EUR3.4 billion and EUR3.6 billion.
Although it appears like Blackstone is paying a hefty premium for Atos, six months ago the French firm's shares were at a 12-month high of EUR65.15, says the report.
Blackstone has declined to comment on the report.