Here Is Every Twitter Takeover Rumor Of 2016

Twitter Inc TWTR shares are sharply higher in Wednesday’s session. In the absence of major news, the stock may once again be moving on rumors of a buyout. Shares are down 16 percent in 2016.

Although no deal has been announced, a number of possible buyers have been rumored to have an interest in Twitter this year. Here’s a look back at all of Twitter’s rumored suitors in 2016.

• January 20: Twitter spikes 14 percent on rumors of a News Corp NWSA buyout.
• January 21: The Wall Street Journal’s Miriam Gottfried suggests Alphabet Inc GOOGL as a top Twitter buyout candidate. Gottfried also mentions Time Warner Inc TWX and Twenty-First Century Fox Inc FOXA as potential buyers.
• February 1: The Information reports that Marc Andreessen and private equity group Silver Lake considered a Twitter buyout.
• March 31: Twitter shares spike on renewed rumors that Google is considering a buyout at a 100 percent premium to market price.
• June 3: The New York Post reports that Twitter and Yahoo! Inc. YHOO discussed a potential merger.

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October 11: Faber Reports Twitter, Salesforce Still In Talks

October 14: FT Reports 'Twitter suitors vanish as Salesforce rules out bid'

• June 13: Recode speculates that Google and Comcast Corporation CMCSA are top Twitter buyout candidates.
• June 17: Vanity Fair’s Nick Bilton claims that Apple Inc AAPL, Google and Facebook Inc FB are unlikely to bid for Twitter.
• June 27: TechCrunch names Google as a possible Twitter buyer, sending shares higher. The article also mentions Verizon Communications Inc. VZ, AT&T Inc. T, Microsoft Corporation MSFT, Amazon.com, Inc. AMZN, Apple, News Corp and Facebook as potential buyers.
• August 3: Rumors circulate that Steve Ballmer and Saidi Arabian Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal are interested in acquiring Twitter for $22-26 per share.
• August 30-31: More speculation that Google may be interested in a takeover.
• September 23: CNBC's David Faber reports Twitter is moving closer to a sale. Bidders could include Google and Salesforce CRM.
• September 26: Bloomberg reports Disney DIS is working with an advisor on a potential bid.
• September 26: Faber reports sale could happen within 30-45 days; says Microsoft could be a potential bidder.
• September 30: Bloomberg reports Alphabet's Google has tapped Lazard to review a potential bid.
• October 4: WSJ reports Twitter is expected to field bids this week.
• October 5: Source tells Benzinga Salesforce shareholders would not be happy with a purchase.
• October 5: Recode reports Google, Apple and Disney are no longer considering a bid.
• October 6: Source Familiar With The Matter Tells Benzinga Salesforce Interest in Twitter Began Early July, Deal Discussed Had Little To No Premium to Current Valuation
• October 10: Bloomberg Reports That Top Bidders Have Lost Interest, Says Company May Consider Divestiture
• November 14: Twitter Shares Spike Higher Over Last Min as Hearing Betaville Suggesting Disney Still Showing Takeover Interest
• December 1: Betaville Reports Disney To Have Rekindled Interest In Buying Twitter, Price Agreed