Business Objects shares surged nearly 5% on the Paris stock exchange and 4.1% on Nasdaq on the rumors.
Business Objects refused to comment on the speculation. We never comment on rumors as a matter of policy, was the company’s official line.
Oracle Corp had identified Business Objects as a possible takeover target several years ago as part of evidence presented during its acrimonious $7.7bn takeover of ERP rival PeopleSoft Inc.
Business Objects was one of nine vendors named as one of nine possible acquisition targets in a memorandum document presented to Oracle’s board back in April 2003. Other companies mentioned in that list included JD Edwards, Cerner and BEA Systems
Business Objects will release its fourth-quarter and year end earnings on February 6.
