Whirlpool Shares Jump on Report Robert Bosch Is Weighing Bid (2)

Whirlpool Corp. shares surged as much as 19% after Reuters reported that Robert Bosch GmbH is considering an offer for the appliance maker.

The privately held German industrial firm has been consulting with potential advisers about a possible bid for the Michigan-based company, Reuters said, citing three people familiar with the matter. There’s no certainty an offer will be made, according to the report.

Whirlpool, the owner of the Maytag and KitchenAid brands, has seen sales disappoint this year as US shoppers pulled back from big-ticket purchases. The stock had fallen 29% from the start of the year through Tuesday’s ...