The Blackstone Group L.P. (NYSE:BX) is in talks with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to buy out its 14% stake in Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), reported Economic Times. LIC is planning to sell its stake in the company through a bidding process. A senior official of LIC confirmed the development saying, "Some companies have evinced interest and we are doing an internal assessment. Once it's finalised, we may come up with a public disclosure." Two officials, familiar with the situation, confirmed to Economic Times that Blackstone and LIC are indeed in talks, and LIC is willing to sell its stake in SHCIL. One of the officials said, "If the valuation amount is more than the price offered by Blackstone, we will set it as the reserve price and ask for bids from all interested parties." Another official said, "If they are not interested, we will sell the shares to the highest bidder. The approval from the government shouldn't be a problem though." LIC is planning to appoint SBI Capital as financial advisor for the sale process. A spokesperson for Blackstone, however, refused to comment on the matter.

Telefónica, S.A. (CATS:TEF) is considering the sale of €700 million worth of Telefónica Ireland Limited. Liberty Global Inc. (NasdaqGS:LBTY.A), Hutchison 3G UK Holdings Ltd., a subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. (SEHK:13) and The Blackstone Group L.P. (NYSE:BX) are potential acquirers for Telefónica Ireland. Angel Vil, Chief Financial and Corporate Development Officer of Telefónica said on May 8, 2013, “We are managing our portfolio, aiming to increase the value of the businesses where we are present. We are not in an expansion mode, but yes, we can be in a strengthening mode in some the markets where we operate. Some of those markets could benefit from a market consolidation. And there are several examples, chief operating officer Jose Maria has spoken about one of them before. Ireland could be another one.” As per The Sunday Independent, a Telefonica spokesman said they did not comment on speculation. Mike T Fries, President of Liberty Global, said, “the company may look at mobile assets in Ireland.” According to sources, Telefónica’s advisors are Citigroup, Inc. (NYSE:C) and BNP Paribas SA (ENXTPA:BNP) and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

The Blackstone Group L.P. (NYSE:BX) is reportedly looking to sell the property at 227 Elizabeth Street. According to sources familiar with the firm's thinking, the sale of the property at 227 Elizabeth Street is aimed at testing the market appetite for secondary assets. It is thought the building, opposite Hyde Park, will be marketed as a potential residential conversion.