Shares down over 16% (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Paris, 06 Sep - Shares in Elis were sharply lower on media speculation that the French provider of workplace supplies is ready to bid for Vestis, a US uniform rental business.

At 0842 GMT, Elis fell 16.18% to 19.38 euros.

Elis first approached Vestis, which has a market value of about 3.3 billion dollars including debt, a few weeks ago, Reuters reported,citing people familiar with the matter.

The terms of the offer could not immediately be learned, it added.

There is no certainty that Vestis will agree to a deal with Elis. Another suitor could also approach Vestis, and it is possible that no deal with any party will be reached, the sources told Reuters.

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(RADIOCOR) 06-09-24 10:47:53 (0234) 5 NNNN