French train maker Alstom has issued an official statement denying press reports that it has received takeover bids from US-based General Electric (GE).
The statement read: "In response to recent speculation in the economic press, Alstom is not informed of any potential public tender offer for the shares of the company.
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"The group constantly reviews the strategic options of its businesses."
Alstom also noted that it "plans to communicate as scheduled on 7 May its annual results and will use this opportunity to give an update on the prospects of its activities."
The brief statement was issued by Alstom after Bloomberg reported on 23 April that GE is to takeover Alstom in a potential transaction that would value the French company at approximately $13bn.
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Insiders were quoted by the news agency as saying that an agreement may be announced as early as next week.
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By GlobalDataThe unidentified sources further told that: "The deal may result in a separation of Alstom’s transport business, which manufactures high-speed TGV trains."
Dismissing the Bloomberg News report as "rumours", French Prime Minister Manuel Valls told Agence France-Presse (AFP): "With Alstom, as with all the great French groups, we are attentive."
Meanwhile, the report also noted that in November 2013, Alstom CEO Patrick Kron had revealed plans to offload nearly €2bn in assets and a minority stake in its rail unit by the end of 2014.
