Duke Energy Corp (DUK.N), the third-largest U.S. power company, is in talks to acquire rival Progress Energy Inc (PGN.N) in a deal worth more than $13 billion that could be announced as soon as Monday, the Financial Times reported on Saturday. Citing unnamed people familiar with the situation, the newspaper said the stock-based deal could happen at a modest premium to Progress' current market value of $13.1 billion. Duke spokesman Tom Williams declined comment on the report. Progress did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment. The companies are hoping to announce the deal before the opening bell on Wall Street on Monday but some details still need to be worked out so the talks could still be delayed or even derailed, the paper said.
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