Nov 7 (Reuters) - BlackRock ( BLK ) is in early-stage

talks to take a minority stake in hedge fund Millennium

Management, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing

people familiar with the situation.

The talks are at an early stage and may not lead to a deal,

the report said, adding that any equity stake is likely to be

small.

If the deal were to materialize, it would mark the first

time that Millennium founder Izzy Englander has taken outside

investment in the company, FT said.

Millennium declined to comment. BlackRock ( BLK ) did not

immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.