Rumor: Syngenta AG, Monsanto Co. Hire Deal Advisors

Talk is getting hotter about the potential bid for Syngenta AG

by Monsanto Co.

. The two companies have hired investment banks to evaluate a possible deal, Reuters reported Thursday, although neither company commented. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/05/07/us-syngenta-m-a-monsanto-idUKKBN0NS2AF20150507 Syngenta closed up Thursday 6 percent at $77; Monsanto rose more than 2 percent, closing at $119.13. A rumor emerged April 30 that Monsanto had approached the Swiss-based seed and crop chemicals maker, about a year after earlier talks fell apart on antitrust concerns. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-30/monsanto-is-said-to-approach-syngenta-again-about-a-takeover For a viable deal, Syngenta would need divest its U.S. corn and soybean businesses, an unidentified source told Reuters Thursday. Potential bidders for all or parts of Syngenta include BASF SE

and Dow Chemical Co.

as well as privately held China National Chemical Corp., according to Reuters.