SunGard Data Systems Inc., a maker of investment support systems for banks, stock exchanges and mutual funds, said Monday it is in talks over a possible sale of the entire company. Its shares surged more than 24 percent in early trading.
SunGard's board has authorized its advisers and management to engage in these discussions, while at the same time proceeding with the planned spin-off of the company's Availability Services business, which was announced last fall.
Earlier Monday, the New York Post reported that a consortium led by San Francisco-based Silver Lake Partners was negotiating to purchase SunGard for up to $10 billion.
The Post said the investor group includes Texas Pacific Group and Thomas H. Lee Partners, and may also include private equity firms Blackstone Group, Citicorp Venture Capital and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.
SunGard did not identify who it was talking with in Monday's announcement. It said it doesn't plan to comment on any specific discussions or any potential transaction unless and until it enters into a definitive agreement.
