Madrid, Nov. 26 - Spanish food company Ebro Puleva SA Monday denied a press report that U.K. private-equity company Permira is conducting due diligence of its financial accounts.
Earlier Monday, El Economista reported that Permira is mulling a bid for Ebro Puleva, the world's largest rice company, and conducting due diligence, citing Permira sources.
Ebro Puleva made its statement in a filing with Spain's stock market regulator. It didn't make any comment on Permira's alleged plans for a bid.
Permira spokespeople weren't immediately available for comment.
Ebro Puleva shares jumped 11% at the open, but lost some steam after the company released the denial. At 0848 GMT, they were up EUR1.26, or 9.4%, at EUR14.70. They're still down 22% so far this year.
The price of EUR1.26 per share values the whole company at EUR2.26 billion.