KKR & Co LP and Carlyle Group LP are competing for National Vision Inc, the fourth-largest U.S. retailer of eyeglasses and contact lenses, in an auction that could fetch up to $1 billion, people familiar with the matter said this week. The two private equity firms are among those making it past the first round of an auction for National Vision, the people said. Meetings with the company's management are currently under way, before solicitation of final offers, they added.The Lawrenceville, Georgia-based company, which is owned by private equity firm Berkshire Partners LLC, is working with Barclays Plc on the sale process, people familiar with the matter have previously told Reuters.Berkshire Partners, KKR and Carlyle declined to comment, while National Vision did not respond to a request for comment.National Vision, which focuses on low-cost glasses and contacts, operates more than 700 retail locations in 43 states under chains that include America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses and Eyeglass World. It competes in the United States with Luxottica Group Spa, Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Visionworks of America Inc.
Barclays PLC (Barclays) is a global financial services provider engaged in retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services. Shares of BCS fell by 1.85% or $-0.32/share to $17.02. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $14.78 and as high as $18.99. On average, 2463760 shares of BCS exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 1310146.
Shares of CG fell by 1.7% or $-0.56/share to $32.47. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $23.85 and as high as $37.89. On average, 479488 shares of CG exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 220615.
Luxottica Group SpA is an Italy-based company engaged in optical industry. Shares of LUX fell by 2.04% or $-1.02/share to $48.94. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $40.17 and as high as $56.18. On average, 65217 shares of LUX exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 179924.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Walmart) operates retail stores in various formats globally. Shares of WMT traded higher by 0.36% or $0.285/share to $79.36. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $67.37 and as high as $81.37. On average, 6206450 shares of WMT exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 4345504.
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