Retail Opportunity up 16% after Reuters says Blackstone in early buyout talks

Shares of Retail Opportunity Investments (ROIC) have jumped $2.05, or 16%, to $15.09 after people familiar with the matter told Reuters’ Anirban Sen that Blackstone (BX) is in early-stage talks to acquire the owner of U.S. shopping centers. The private equity firm’s interest comes as the REIT’s shares lost more than 10% of their value in the last 12 months, though no deal is certain and another bidder for Retail Opportunity could emerge, the sources said, according to the report.