Financial Times owner confirms talks on potential sale

However, it provided no details of with whom it is in discussions, and said there can be no certainty these talks will lead to a sale.

Pearson, the owner of the Financial Times, is due to announce “imminently” that it is selling the paper, Reuters is reporting. “A further announcement will be made if and when appropriate”, it said in a statement.

Previous reports from other news organisations have suggested a host of potential suitors for the FT, including German publisher Axel Springer, Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters (Dusseldorf: TOC.DU – news) and also Buzzfeed.

Bloomberg had reported on Monday that Pearson was exploring a potential sale of the Financial Times.

In just minutes after the news, the publisher’s share price jumped by 1.75%.

On 20 July, rumours about the possible sale surfaced as people familiar with the matter told media that Pearson was looking to sell its FT division for £1bn.

The publishing group has been moving increasingly into the provision of education services in North America and in emerging markets.

Pearson’s primary business is it educational textbook and publishing unit, and the Financial Times seems an odd fit. The group had however said it maintained committed tothe paper due to its strong brand.