EXCLUSIVE — LSEG considers bid for Octus financial data group, sources say

By Amy-Jo Crowley LONDON, Oct 13 (Reuters) — The London Stock Exchange Group has held talks with Octus and its private equity owner Permira over a possible bid for the New York-headquartered financial data provider, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. London-based Permira is working with advisers to evaluate interest in Octus, the people said, adding that there is no certainty a deal with LSEG will materialise. A spokesperson for LSEG declined to comment. Permira declined to comment. Octus did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Permira, which has been planning a sale of Octus since last year, has also held talks with other potential industry buyers, one of the people said. Octus provides information on credit markets, with a focus on companies in financial distress, for banks and investors. It employs journalists, analysts and legal experts, using technology to scour regulatory and court filings. LSEG is the largest customer of Reuters, which provides news for its Workspace news and data platform and other products. (Reporting by Amy-Jo Crowley in London; Additional reporting by Milana Vinn in New York and Tommy Reggiori Wilkes in London; Editing by Ano