its the baa deal holding price down BAA Shares Gain on...

its the baa deal holding price down BAA Shares Gain on Speculation Macquarie May Bid (Update1)

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000081&sid=a_CqRd8S0vAQ&refer=australia

March 13 (Bloomberg) -- Shares of BAA Plc rose 2 percent on speculation the owner of London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports may receive more than one takeover bid.

Macquarie Bank Ltd., Australia's biggest investment bank, and buyout firm Blackstone Group LP may make a joint bid for London- based BAA, the Financial Times reported today, citing an unidentified person familiar with the talks.

Shares in BAA have surged 27 percent since Feb. 8, when Grupo Ferrovial SA, Spain's second-largest builder, said it may bid for the world's largest airport operator. BAA, which also owns London's Stansted airport, made 441 million pounds ($761 million) of operating profit in the six months ended Sept. 30.

BAA shares rose 16 pence to 830 pence in London, valuing the company at 8.9 billion pounds. The stock reached a record 845 pence on March 6.

Macquarie Airports, a unit of the bank, is the world's second- largest airport operator after BAA and owns stakes in airports in Rome, Sydney, Brussels and Copenhagen.

Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, Canada's second-largest retirement fund, is also in talks with Macquarie and Blackstone about the possible bid, the FT reported.