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Alcatel shares up on Thales stake sale report
PARIS (Reuters) - Shares in French telecoms equipment giant Alcatel-Lucent (ALUA.PA) gained 17 percent in early Monday trade after a media report it was close to selling its 20.8 percent stake in Thales to Dassault Aviation (AVMD.PA).
"The deal is imminent ... It may even be announced at the start of the week," French daily La Tribune said, without citing a specific source.
Alcatel-Lucent and Dassault Aviation declined to comment.
By 3:10 a.m. EDT, Alcatel-Lucent shares gained 11.83 percent to 1.91 euros after rising to a session high of 1.99 euros amid a global stock market bounce as European government moved to protect the banking system.
In August, Dassault Aviation said it was not interested in buying Alcatel Lucent's stake in Thales.
Speculation of a sale of Alcatel's stake in Thales has risen following a management shake-up at the French telecoms equipment group. Dassault and Airbus parent EADS (EAD.PA) are regularly cited as potential buyers.
(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Paul Bolding)
