Here Is Every Twitter Takeover Rumor Of 2016

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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
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