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| HTC shares suspended on Google takeover rumours | HTC shares suspended on Google takeover rumours |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Shares in the Taiwanese smartphone firm HTC will be suspended from trading on Thursday amid rumours Google's parent Alphabet is planning a takeover. | Shares in the Taiwanese smartphone firm HTC will be suspended from trading on Thursday amid rumours Google's parent Alphabet is planning a takeover. |
| The company issued a statement in response to a report in the China Times, and a request from the Taiwanese Stock Exchange. | The company issued a statement in response to a report in the China Times, and a request from the Taiwanese Stock Exchange. |
| It said said it "does not comment on market rumour or speculation". | It said said it "does not comment on market rumour or speculation". |
| HTC was once a major player in the smartphone market but has struggled to compete with Apple and Samsung. | HTC was once a major player in the smartphone market but has struggled to compete with Apple and Samsung. |
| Last month there was speculation that HTC was planning to sell its virtual reality unit, Vive, or even the whole company. | Last month there was speculation that HTC was planning to sell its virtual reality unit, Vive, or even the whole company. |
| Five years ago, HTC was the world's fourth bestselling smartphone maker with a market share of about 9%. | Five years ago, HTC was the world's fourth bestselling smartphone maker with a market share of about 9%. |
| Its share is now less than 1%. | Its share is now less than 1%. |
| Some analysts have questioned why Alphabet would be interested in buying another mobile phone maker. | |
| Deal benefits | |
| In 2011, Alphabet (then named Google) bought Motorola's Mobility for $12.5bn, only to sell it on three years later. | |
| But a deal with HTC could have greater benefits, as HTC builds Alphabet's own smartphone, the Pixel. | |
| The Pixel uses Android operating software, developed by Alphabet, so the deal could integrate hardware and software, which might be an attractive option. | |
| The deal would also be small change to Alphabet which has around $100bn of cash. | |
| HTC's shares ended Wednesday's session 2.5% higher. The company is worth £1.4bn ($1.9bn). | HTC's shares ended Wednesday's session 2.5% higher. The company is worth £1.4bn ($1.9bn). |