By Tassilo Hummel and Tim Hepher and Dominique Vidalon and Mathieu Rosemain
PARIS (Reuters) – Airbus is interested in buying French software company Atos’ cybersecurity operation, French TV BFM said on Thursday, citing sources with knowledge of the matter.
Airbus said it does not comment on rumors or market speculation.
“As a global company, we are in constant discussion with our partners, customers and suppliers across the industry – these conversations are of a private nature,” Airbus said in an email to Reuters.
Atos declined to comment, reiterating that its BDS cybersecurity business was not for sale.
By 12:00 pm (Brasília time), Atos shares had gained 3.7%.
Airbus had been looking at a potential acquisition of Atos in recent weeks, spurred by its interest in the field of cybersecurity, BFM said, citing one of the sources. The report adds that, at this stage, no definitive purchases were underway.
“(Airbus Chief Executive) Guillaume Faury believes this topic (Atos) is too complicated due to Airbus interests,” BFM said, citing a source.
Thus, according to the report, Airbus therefore chose not to buy Atos as a whole, as it had no interest in acquiring the other activities of the French company.
Last month, Atos said its cybersecurity arm, BDS, was not for sale. The move came after sources said French defense firm Thales was working on a plan to buy the operation, having approached private equity firms for a joint bid.
Thales said at the time that it would be potentially interested in any cybersecurity activity that was for sale, but that no discussions were ongoing with Atos.
(By Tassilo Hummel; additional reporting by Tim Hepher, Dominique Vidalon and Mattieu Rosemain)
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