GE To Decide Soon On DJ Bid; Joint Bid With Pearson Possible With Bancrofts Retaining Minority

On Friday we reported on Pearson looking at bidding for Dow Jones, and that it may tie-up with GE, which has also been looking at the possibility of a joint bid. Now FT’s Mergermarket reports that GE will decide on the joint bid with Pearson within days. Some of the options being discussed include a joint venture that could include Dow Jones’ controlling Bancroft family as minority partners. The Bancroft family could retain a 20 per cent stake in Dow Jones, with the remainder held by Pearson and GE, thus continuing the family