Blackstone in Advanced Talks to Buy Property Owner, Reuters Says

Blackstone Inc. is in advanced talks to acquire Retail Opportunity Investments Corp., which owns US shopping centers, Reuters reports, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter.

If the talks are successful, a deal could be finalized in the coming weeks, the people told Reuters, requesting anonymity as the matter is confidential.

Blackstone is likely to prevail in the auction for ROIC that had also attracted interest from other private equity firms, including Bain Capital, Reuters said, citing the people.

The people said a deal with Blackstone isn’t guaranteed and it’s possible that a rival suitor could emerge, according ...