US predator says it may bid for Regus

Shares in Regus, the troubled provider of serviced offices, leapt 16 per cent yesterday after the US predator that has been stalking the group admitted it was interested in launching a takeover bid.

Indigo Capital, the secretive New York-based venture capital group that has been building a stake in Regus, said it was "interested in exploring a wide range of strategic, commercial and financing options [that] may include a recommended takeover".

Regus shares, which have more than doubled in the past week, rose 3.25p to 23.75p, valuing the company at just under £140m.

Indigo Capital, which has a 15.1 per cent stake in Regus, is believed to hold options over a further tranche of shares through a deal with Cantor Fitzgerald, the money broker. Cantor, which has also been increasing its stake, holds more than 13 per cent of Regus. It is thought the Takeover Panel, which does not comment directly, forced Indigo to issue a statement detailing the nature of its interest in Regus.

No one at the US investment firm was available to comment yesterday. It is understood to have not yet approached the UK group to request formal talks.

A spokesman for Cantor said the broker was "not a party in relation to any bid that anybody may be making for Regus". He added: "All we are doing is buying Regus stock, which is a hedge for a contract-for-difference on behalf of a client." Asked whether Cantor was acting for or with Indigo, he said: "No comment."

A contract-for-difference is a type of derivative that allows an investor to expose themselves to the price of a stock without taking the physical delivery of the stock, thereby avoiding stamp duty.

Any deal with Regus would need the backing of Mark Dixon, the company's founder and chief executive who has a 63 per cent stake. Regus declined to comment.