Exclusive-Worldline attracts early stage interest from private equity firms, sources say

By Amy-Jo Crowley and Mathieu Rosemain

LONDON (Reuters) – French payments group Worldline has attracted early stage takeover interest from private equity firms, as it grapples with a falling share price, profit warnings and leadership change, five people with knowledge of the matter said.

Bain Capital is among private equity firms that have been in the initial stages of evaluating a possible bid for Worldline, two of the people said.

The firm has spoken with advisers to consider different permutations of how a bid could be formulated for Worldline, whose stock has been trading near a record low, one of the people said. The conversations have taken place over recent weeks, a second person said.

Bain has experience in the payments sector, holding a 10% stake in and board seat on Italy’s Nexi (BIT:) alongside peer Advent International. If Bain were to bid for Worldline it would have to consider what to do with its stake in Nexi, the first person said.

Deliberations are at an early stage and a formal offer is not certain, the people said, asking not to be identified because the talks are confidential.

A spokesperson for Bain declined to comment. Worldline said it did not comment on market rumors.