Aug 25 (Reuters) -

Artemis, the holding company of France's Pinault family, is

weighing options for its 29% stake in Puma SE,

including a sale, Bloomberg reported on Monday, boosting the

sportswear maker's shares.

A spokesperson for Artemis, which controls luxury group

Kering, declined to comment. Puma did not immediately reply to a

request for comment.

Shares in the German sportswear maker, which have lost over half

of their value over the past two years, were up 18% at 1353

GMT.

Citing unnamed sources, Bloomberg reported the Pinaults were

working with advisors to assess options for the asset and had

reached out to potential buyers.

Artemis, which also owns some other businesses in the luxury,

arts and entertainment industries, has become the subject of

increased scrutiny from investors after Reuters reported it had

accumulated high debt across its portfolio as it sought to

diversify investments.

The holding last month said it was not facing any liquidity

problems due to a drop in dividends from Kering and other

assets, including Puma.

Artemis had acquired its stake in Puma following a reshuffle of

Kering's portfolio in 2018 when the Gucci-owner, which until

then also controlled Puma, was transformed into a pure luxury

player.