AMSTERDAM (AP) -- D.E. Master Blenders 1753, the Dutch coffee company that was spun off by Sara Lee Corp. last June, says it is in talks to be acquired by a group led by private German investment company Joh. A. Benckiser GmbH for around €7.6 billion ($9.7 billion).
Benckiser owns stakes in Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc. and Caribou Coffee, among others.
Master Blenders said in a statement Thursday the potential buyers are looking at a price of €12.75 per share, a 33 percent premium to Wednesday's closing price. But they haven't made a formal offer.
The company's shares soared 26 percent to €12.14 in Amsterdam trading Thursday.
Master Blenders had a poor start as an independent company, with profits and estimates falling, and accounting irregularities uncovered at its Brazilian arm.
