- With a lot of moving parts (and moving stocks) around potential major asset sales at Fox (FOX +2.7%, FOXA +2.8%), it's still Disney (NYSE:DIS) that holds a preferred-buyer spot for Fox over several deep-pocketed rivals, sources tell Bloomberg.
- That's because of a better strategic fit and fewer regulatory problems for Disney, vs. a cavalcade of other suitors linked to possible purchases: Comcast (CMCSA +4.9%), Verizon (VZ +0.9%), Sony (SNE +0.5%), and even Amazon.com (AMZN -2.5%).
- Disney closed up 4.7% today after weekend reports noted renewed heat around a Disney-Fox deal, but the Murdoch family is also in discussions with Comcast. Links to purchase prospects of Verizon, Sony and Amazon are more loosely sourced for now.
- A deal (for Fox's film and TV studio assets, as well as a stake in Sky (OTCQX:SKYAY), all worth some $50B) would mean Fox CEO James Murdoch could join Disney.
- Sky shares gained 2.3% in U.S. trading today. A suitor buying Fox's 39% stake in Sky would trigger a mandatory offer for the rest of it under UK takeover rules.
- Now read: Don't Believe The Hype
Original article