Interpublic’s stock is up more than 12 percent today to $10.87 on rumors that France’s Publicis Groupe is mulling a $6B ($15-a-share) bid for the parent company of Weber Shandwick, DeVries PR and GolinHarris.

IPG has issued the following statement: "We are aware of the activity in our stock today. It is our policy not to comment on market rumors or speculation."

An acquisition of IPG by Maurice Levy’s French combine would propel Publicis over Omnicom to rank as the No. 2 global communications company behind WPP, which is led by his arch-rival Martin Sorrell.

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