Supermarket giant J Sainsbury has continued to see its shares skyrocket after speculation of a potential takeover from three private equity companies.
European firm CVC Capital Partners has reportedly shown an interest in the food stores along with New York City-based companies the Blackstone group and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.
The UK's third-largest supermarket chain issued a statement on Friday admitting that "CVC, KKR and Blackstone confirm that they are at the preliminary stages of assessing Sainsbury" but the chain insisted that no proposals had been received.
Interest from the private equity giants into the British supermarket chain began earlier this month when a lead trustee of the founding family decided to sell a 2.1 per cent share in the company.
However Sainsbury are keen to stress that they will not speculate on the potential interest.
A statement from the chain asserts: "No decision has been made regarding the relative merits of an offer and as a consequence there can be no assurance that any offer for Sainsbury will be forthcoming. A further announcement may be made, if and when appropriate.
Shares in Sainsbury rose by 0.88 per cent during morning trading, having increased steadily throughout the last week.
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