Liberty Global Plc is in advanced talks to purchase British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc's remaining 7.2 percent stake in Britain's biggest commercial free-to-air broadcaster ITV Plc, Sky News reported late on Wednesday. The deal is likely to be announced on Thursday, Sky said on its website, adding that there was a "slim possibility" that the stake would go to institutional investors if talks fell through. (bit.ly/1oYX0Ad)ITV's London-listed shares closed at 183 pence on Wednesday, giving the company a market capitalisation of about 7.4 billion pounds ($12.68 billion), according to Thomson Reuters data.Representatives of BSkyB, Liberty Global and ITV could not be reached for comment outside of regular business hours.Liberty Global has been expanding its presence in Britain, with the acquisition of cable company Virgin Media last year and a joint takeover with Discovery Communcations of All3media in May. ($1 = 0.5835 British pounds)
Shares of LBTYA traded higher by 0.11% or $0.05/share to $44.47. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $37.81 and as high as $46.46. On average, 3732010 shares of LBTYA exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 1891295.
Thomson Reuters Corporation (Thomson Reuters) is a provider of information for the world?s businesses and professionals. Shares of TRI traded higher by 0.71% or $0.26/share to $37.03. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $32.87 and as high as $38.73. On average, 758952 shares of TRI exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 397629.
Thomson Reuters Corporation (Thomson Reuters) is a provider of information for the world?s businesses and professionals. Shares of TRI traded higher by 0.63% or $0.25/share to $39.77. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $34.52 and as high as $42.10. On average, 594581 shares of TRI.TO exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 261009.
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