Bertelsmann Said to Plan Lifting Penguin Random House Stake

Bertelsmann SE, Europe’s biggest media company, intends to increase its stake in book-publishing venture Penguin Random House as early as next year, according to people familiar with the matter.

Bertelsmann, owner of 53 percent of the New York-based business, plans to buy part or all of the 47 percent held by Pearson Plc, the people said, asking not to be named discussing private deliberations. While Bertelsmann and Pearson aren’t in talks, Pearson is willing to sell and can do so starting October 2015 under a shareholder agreement, the people said.