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Investing.com -- Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. is exploring options to increase its stake in Jefferies Financial Group Inc., according to a report from Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter.
The Tokyo-based lender, Japan’s second-largest bank, is in discussions to boost its current 15% ownership in the US investment bank. One potential approach involves acquiring preferred stock in a deal that could exceed 100 billion yen ($677 million), potentially raising Sumitomo’s stake to approximately 20%.
Beyond the ownership increase, the two financial institutions are also negotiating a potential merger of their equities operations in Japan. This could take the form of a joint venture between SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. and Jefferies’ local Japanese business.
The sources, who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the talks, noted that no final decisions have been made. The discussions remain fluid, with details subject to change, and the negotiations could still end without an agreement.
The potential moves signal Sumitomo Mitsui’s interest in strengthening its relationship with the American investment bank.
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