Aug 20 (Reuters) - U.S. retailer Walmart ( WMT ) is

seeking to raise up to $3.74 billion by selling its stake in

Chinese e-commerce firm JD.com ( JD ), Bloomberg News

reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Walmart ( WMT ) is offering 144.5 million shares in the price range

of $24.85 to $25.85, the report said, adding that Morgan Stanley

is the broker-dealer of the offering.

Walmart ( WMT ), JD.com ( JD ) and Morgan Stanley did not immediately

respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

Walmart ( WMT ) is the largest shareholder of JD.com ( JD ) and owns a

5.19% stake in the e-commerce company, according to LSEG data.

The partnership between the two companies started in 2016,

when Walmart ( WMT ) sold its Chinese online grocery store, Yihaodian,

in return for a 5% stake in JD.com ( JD ).