LONDON (Reuters) - Financial news and information provider Reuters Group Plc said on Friday it had received a preliminary takeover approach from an unidentified suitor, sending its shares up over 20 percent.
"The board of Reuters confirms it has received a preliminary approach from a third party which may or may not lead to an offer being made for Reuters," the firm said in a statement on Friday.
"There is no certainty an offer will be made or necessary approvals, including those required under Reuters constitution, will be received."
At 0850 GMT, Reuters shares were up 20.9 percent at 595 pence.
Earlier the shares had risen on market speculation of a 600-pence-a-share bid from Canada's Thomson Corp <TOC.TO or Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.