Could Alliance Data Systems Go Private?

There is a rumor out on Wall Street today that Alliance Data Systems Corporation ADS has been approached by a private equity firm to go private. The transaction would be north of $85 per share, a sharp premium to today's current levels. At last check, shares of ADS were trading at $68.12, a gain of 16 cents. Alliance Data Systems Corporation provides data-driven and transaction-based marketing and customer loyalty solutions primarily in the United States and Canada.