WPP is considering sale of stake in Bain’s Kantar-source

By Amy-Jo Crowley

LONDON (Reuters) – WPP is considering the sale of its 40% stake in Kantar, a person with knowledge of the situation said, which could be valued at up to $8 billion including debt.

The London-headquartered advertising company is working with an adviser and is considering selling the stake in the market research firm outright or selling it to co-shareholder Bain, the private equity fund, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. Shares in WPP turned higher after the report, rising 1.2%.

A sale could help bolster confidence in WPP shares after the ad group in October cut its outlook for the second time in as many quarters. Shares fell to a three year low on the news.

WPP shares climbed last week after a Sky News report that Kantar Media could be put up for sale and raise 1 billion pounds for its two shareholders.

WPP, Kantar and Bain declined to comment.

(Reporting by Amy-Jo Crowley. Edited by Anousha Sakoui)

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