08:53 AM EDT, 03/18/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Nuvei's ( NVEI ) US-listed shares surged early Monday after the Canadian fintech company confirmed it is weighing up proposals regarding a potential go-private transaction.

Several media publications, including The Wall Street Journal, reported over the weekend that private equity firm Advent International is in advanced discussions to acquire Nuvei ( NVEI ), which provides businesses with pay-in and payout options. A potential deal could be announced soon, the newspaper reported sources as saying.

The company's board of directors formed a special committee to evaluate and consider "expressions of interest" and other strategic alternatives, it said Sunday, following the media speculation. Nuvei's ( NVEI ) Nasdaq-listed stock has slipped nearly 12% so far this year, but soared 32% in premarket trading.

Additionally, the payments processor confirmed that it is also in talks with certain third parties for a possible deal involving continued substantial ownership by current shareholders, including Chief Executive Phil Fayer. However, the company said it hasn't made a decision yet and there is no guarantee that an agreement to a privatization or similar transaction will be reached.

Earlier in March, Nuvei ( NVEI ) issued a full-year 2024 revenue outlook of $1.34 billion to $1.38 billion, compared with the $1.19 billion it recorded last year. The current consensus among analysts on Capital IQ is for revenue of $1.37 billion. Total volume is set to come in between $246 billion and $252 billion, it said at the time.

The company's per-share adjusted earnings for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 remained flat at $0.47, while revenue jumped 46% to $321.5 million. Both metrics topped market estimates. For the ongoing three-month period, it anticipates revenue of $322 million to $330 million, while the Street is looking for $325.9 million.

Nuvei ( NVEI ), whose investors include Hollywood actor and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds, has a market capitalization of $3.04 billion, according to Capital IQ data. In 2023, the company purchased US payments tech firm Paya Holdings in a $1.3 billion deal.

Price: 27.88, Change: +6.22, Percent Change: +28.72