Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Tuesday January 20, 2015

The following are the M&A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Tuesday January 20, 2015

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Shares of 3D Systems Corporation

spiked higher in early trading Tuesday on unconfirmed market chatter that General Electric Company

and International Business Machines Corporation

could offer in the $50's per share for 3D. A spokesperson for 3D Systems told Benzinga that the company's strategy has not changed,,,"we we plan to continue to be leaders and innovators and grow to be one of the 800 lb gorillas in the industry." Spokespersons for IBM and GE were not available for comment. 3D Systems shares closed Tuesday at $29.32, a gain of 2%.

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Shares of Chesapeake Energy Corporation

surged higher Tuesday, on a

, that India's energy giant Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited could be in talks to acquire Chesapeake, according to industry sources. Spokespersons for Chesapeake and ONGC did not respond to requests for comments. Chesapeake Energy shares gained $0.05 Tuesday, closing at $19.08.

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Shares of Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

spiked higher Tuesday, following a report from

, that the company has hired Centerview Partners to explore options, including a potential sale. The stock was halted briefly on a circuit-breaker. A Salix spokesperson declined to comment. Centerview Partners did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Salix Pharmaceuticals shares gained 4.5% Tuesday, closing at $125.83.

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Shares of Orbitz Worldwide

spiked higher Tuesday, on a report from

that the company was exploring a potential sale and has hired a financial advisor, according to sources. Shares were halted briefly on a circuit-breaker. Google, Inc.

is being mentioned as a potential buyer. An Orbitz spokesperson declined comment on the rumor. Orbitz Worldwide shares gained 8.5% Tuesday, closing at $9.95.