AUSTRALIAN real estate firm REA Group said on Monday (Sep 2) it is considering acquiring London-listed peer Rightmove via a possible cash and share offer.
REA Group, majority-owned by News Corp, said it had not yet approached or had any discussions with Rightmove on a potential offer.
Rightmove, Britain’s largest property portal, had a market value of £4.4 billion (S$7.5 billion), as at Friday’s close.
Shares of Melbourne-headquartered REA Group, in which the Murdoch family owns more than 61 per cent, fell as much as 5.9 per cent to A$206.01 by 0053 GMT.
Rightmove did not immediately respond to a Reuters’ request for comment.
“There can be no certainty that an offer will be made,” the Australian company said.
REA Group now has to either lodge a firm bid for Rightmove or back out by Sep 30, according to the UK’s takeovers rule. REUTERS
