German engineering giant Siemens offers to discuss tie-up with French rival Alstom
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}German engineering giant Siemens AG says it is prepared to discuss a tie-up with its French rival Alstom.
Siemens says it sent the Alstom board a letter "to signal its willingness to discuss future strategic opportunities" but declined to elaborate.
The move announced Sunday comes amid heated speculation that General Electric Co. is considering buying Alstom.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Shares in Alstom were halted Friday after its stock closed nearly 11 percent higher Thursday at 27 euros.
The French government is cool to the idea of a buyout of a company that pioneered TGV high-speed trains, later exporting them around the world, and builds nuclear turbines.