Aug 8 (Reuters) - Australia's Iress ( IRSMF ) said on

Friday it had previously considered a takeover approach from

Blackstone and is now in preliminary discussions with both the

U.S. investment company and private equity firm Thoma Bravo over

a fresh proposal.

The initial proposal from Blackstone valued Iress ( IRSMF ) at A$1.94

billion ($1.27 billion) but was later withdrawn, the Australian

financial software firm said, without providing further details

in its statement.

The takeover bid comes at a time when global private firms

are gathering more interest for Australia-listed software

players. Earlier in the week, automotive software platform

provider Infomedia ( IFMDF ) agreed to a A$651 million takeover

by TPG's Asia-focussed private equity fund.

"Iress ( IRSMF ) is currently in the early stages of engagement with

Blackstone and Thoma Bravo in order to ascertain whether an

offer can be made which can be recommended by the Iress Board,"

the company said on Friday.

The announcement follows a report by the Australian

Financial Review that Iress ( IRSMF ) was in talks with Blackstone over a

potential buyout, which could value the company at about A$1.9

billion.

Blackstone declined to comment, while Thoma Bravo did not

immediately respond.

Iress ( IRSMF ) is not unfamiliar with takeover interest from private

equity firms, having previously drawn a $3 billion deal from

Swedish investment firm EQT in 2021. The deal ultimately fell

through after EQT walked away despite making several improved

offers.

The company's stock closed at A$8.38 per share on Thursday,

having lost more than 44% in market value since touching its

record high in August 2021.

In February, Iress ( IRSMF ) reported a net profit after tax

attributable of A$30.1 million in fiscal 2024, along with

A$604.6 million in revenue.

The company will release its half-year earnings next week.

($1 = 1.5323 Australian dollars)