UPDATE 1-Italy's Aedes, Sopaf in talks about stake purchase

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MILAN, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Italian property company Aedes (AEDI.MI) said on Thursday it would talk with Sopaf (SPFI.MI) about selling it a stake to help shore up its finances, sending Aedes's stock up more than 12 percent.

Aedes, suffering from a market slump stemming from the U.S. subprime lending crisis, was up 12.01 percent at 0.953 euros at 0934 GMT. The shares had been halted from trading because of excessive gains.

Shares in Sopaf, an investment company, were down 6 percent at 0.282 euro. They hit a 3-1/2 year low of 0.28 euros before paring losses.

Aedes said in a statement its board had chosen Sopaf after reviewing a number of offers at a meeting late on Wednesday.

Sopaf had offered to take part in a capital increase, pledging up to 171 million euros, it said. Aedes had been looking to raise 150 million to 200 million euros.

Aedes did not provide details about the capital increase or Sopaf's future stake in the company.

By 0927 GMT, the market capitalisation of Aedes stood at 96.6 million euros, according to Reuters calculations.

Aedes said Sopaf had offered to refrain from making a bid for the rest of the company after the capital increase.

Sopaf also agreed to help Aedes in its talks with creditors to reschedule its debt.

A moratorium on Aedes debt expires on Sept. 30. Aedes had missed due dates for the repayment of about 40 million euros. (Reporting by Gilles Castonguay; Editing by Quentin Bryar)