01:52 PM EDT, 05/09/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with Sony ( SONY ) declining to comment in the fourth paragraph.)

Sony ( SONY ) is readying a bid against KKR (KKR) and Blackstone (BX) to acquire Japanese e-comics provider Infocom in a deal thought to be valued at about 200 billion Japanese yen ($1.3 billion), Bloomberg reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

In May, a second round of bidding for Teijin's roughly 55% stake in Infocom will be held, the report said.

Sony's ( SONY ) music arm, Sony Music Entertainment, is discussing a bid for Infocom with Japanese fund Integral, according to the report.

Sony ( SONY ) declined MT Newswires' request for comment, while KKR, Blackstone, Teijin and Integral didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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