NEW YORK, Nov 7 (Reuters) - BlackRock Inc ( BLK ) is in

early-stage talks with hedge fund Millennium Management about a

strategic tie-up that could involve acquiring a minority stake

in the hedge fund, two sources familiar with the matter said.

The sources said it was not clear whether the talks would

result in a deal, with one of them saying the strategic

rationale of a transaction was not clear.

The Financial Times reported earlier on the deal talks.