March 10 (Reuters) - TXNM Energy ( TXNM ) is exploring a

sale after receiving takeover interest from a potential suitor,

Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing people familiar with

the matter.

The energy holding company is working with an adviser to

assess its options and the deliberations are in preliminary

stages, the report said.

TXNM did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for

comment.

The company, formerly PNM Resources, has a market

capitalization of $4.44 billion, according to data compiled by

LSEG.

TXNM provides electricity to approximately 800,000 homes and

businesses in New Mexico and Texas through its two regulated

utilities.

Last year, Iberdrola's U.S. unit, Avangrid,

abandoned an $8.3 billion deal to acquire TXNM after failing to

secure approval from New Mexico's utility regulator, more than

three years after the deal was announced.