FT.com / Companies / IT - Atos in talks with possible bidders
Atos in talks with possible bidders
By Peggy Hollinger
Published: May 12 2007 03:00 | Last updated: May 12 2007 03:00
Management at Atos Originis to spend the weekend in negotiations with prospective bidders for the French IT services group, aiming for a decision by Monday.
The company's shares were suspended after news of the talks began to leak into the market. Atos was forced to accelerate discussions as a result.
The company said it expected to make an announcement early on Monday, although originally it had no such intention. People close to the situation said the outcome was still far from certain.
In March, Atos confirmed that it had received a number of approaches. People close to the situation said these included a potential €4bn ($5.4bn) bid from Permira and Centaurus, the British buy-out firm and hedge fund. Eurozeo and PAI, the French private equity groups, are also understood to have expressed interest, while Atos rival CapGemini pulled out of the running.
Atos has in the past said that it continues to "support the execution of [its] transformation plan" and "further the group's development", implying strongly that it wanted a buyer who would keep the company in one piece. Peggy Hollinger
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007
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