Benzinga reported that shares of NYSE listed Walter Energy surged higher on a report from Australian radio that Xstrata was considering a bid of USD 47 per share for the Birmingham, AL coal producer.

A spokesperson for Walter Energy told Benzinga he was not aware of the offer and had no news to report.

A spokesperson for Xstrata later denied the company had an interest in acquiring Walter Energy.

Source - benzinga.com

(www.coalguru.com)