PARIS (Thomson Financial) - Atos Origin said it will issue a press release on Monday morning before the market opens, further to the suspension of its shares at midday.
The shares last traded up 1.22 eur, or 2.33 pct, at 53.50 in a sharply negative market, having been boosted all morning by growing rumours the group would announce a long-awaited takeover approach.
In mid-March, Atos shares had jumped on rumours the company had received a takeover approach from investment funds Permira and Centaurus, offering 58 eur a share.
Fellow IT services group Capgemini has also been cited as a potential trade buyer, although it said last month it would not consider any hostile takeovers, citing Atos' previous rejection of an approach by Capgemini. tfn.paris@thomson.com gt/slj COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.