KKR mulls takeover bid for chip equipment maker ASMPT, Bloomberg News reports

FILE PHOTO: Trading information for KKR & Co is displayed on a screen on the floor of the NYSE in New York

(Reuters) -KKR is considering a takeover bid for chip equipment maker ASMPT, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Hong Kong-listed ASMPT is valued at HK$39.39 billion ($5.07 billion), according to LSEG data.

The U.S. private equity firm has made a non-binding, preliminary approach to take ASMPT private, according to the report.

Dutch chip equipment maker ASM International, which owns a 25% stake in ASMPT, has been pushed by activist investors to sell its stake in the past, the report said, adding that the company has also attracted takeover interest from investment firms and industry players in Asia.

KKR declined to comment, while ASMPT did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment.

Singapore-headquartered ASMPT has a presence in more than 30 countries, with about 10,800 employees worldwide, according to its website.

($1 = 7.7660 Hong Kong dollars)

(Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia Cheema)