March 21 (Reuters) - Australian media firm Nine
Entertainment ( NNMTF ) said on Friday it was in talks with
property data group CoStar ( CSGP ) over a revised offer by the
U.S. company for the former's majority-owned real estate
classifieds firm Domain.
CoStar ( CSGP ) had, in February, offered to buy out Domain in a deal
valuing the company at A$2.65 billion ($1.67 billion).
Nine owns around a 60% stake in Domain.
Domain, in a statement on Friday, confirmed to the market
that it had not received a revised bid from CoStar ( CSGP ) since the
original offer landed. The company did not immediately respond
to a request for comment on whether it is in talks with CoStar ( CSGP )
over a revised proposal.
Domain further confirmed that it continues to assess the
original bid from CoStar ( CSGP ).
Nine, while addressing a media report by the Australian
Financial Review (AFR) on Friday, said it was in talks with
CoStar ( CSGP ) over the original bid and also remains engaged with
Domain.
"Discussions remain confidential and incomplete (including
as to the price at which CoStar ( CSGP ) might make a revised proposal),"
Nine said in an ASX filing.
The AFR reported on Thursday that Nine Entertainment ( NNMTF ) had
begun negotiations to sell its controlling stake in Domain to
CoStar ( CSGP ), with both sides debating a price.
Last month, CoStar ( CSGP ) picked up Domain shares on the
market, acquiring a 16.9% stake before making a cash offer of
A$4.20 per share for the remainder of Australia's second-largest
property listings platform.
Shares in Domain have gained around 39% since they began
trading on February 21, while Nine has added over 10%. Domain
closed trading on Thursday at A$4.34, higher than the A$4.20 bid
by CoStar ( CSGP ).
Nine flagged that there was no certainty as to the talks
leading to a revised proposal from CoStar ( CSGP ).
CoStar ( CSGP ) did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for
comment.
($1 = 1.5873 Australian dollars)