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Technology news site The Information, citing unnamed sources,
reported that Tencent was exploring a possible $3 billion bid
for Rovio and also said Rovio may consider an IPO.
"We and our shareholders regularly assess different alternatives
to further develop Rovio," the company said in an emailed
statement on Friday when asked about The Information report.
"A stock exchange listing at some point in the future could be
possible in order to support the continued strong growth of
Rovio and its strategic targets. However, Rovio and its owners
have not made any decisions regarding a possible IPO," the
company said.
Tencent was not immediately available for a comment.
Following years of falling earnings, job cuts and divestments,
Rovio returned to profit last year as the release of its Angry
Birds movie helped boost game sales.
The company is 70-percent owned by Kaj Hed, the uncle of the
company's co-founder Niklas Hed.
Last year, Tencent bought a majority stake in Finland's other
prominent game maker, Supercell, in a deal valued at $8.6
billion.
(Reporting by Jussi Rosendahl, additional reporting by Cate
Cadell in Beijing; Editing by Susan Fenton)
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