LVMH and Tiffany Dismiss Judge’s Suggestion of Talks for Now

  • Neither side plans return to the table, people familiar say
  • Judge had urged companies to find a solution on takeover deal

     

Photographer: Sarah Blesener/Bloomberg

LVMH and Tiffany & Co. are staying away from the negotiating table even though a U.S. judge urged them to settle lawsuits over their ill-fated deal to combine, according to people familiar with their thinking.

The companies instead are preparing for a trial scheduled to begin on Jan. 5, said the people, who didn’t want to be identified because the matter is private. That could temper investor optimism, after 53% of those responding to a Sanford C. Bernstein poll said they thought the deal could still go throughBloomberg Terminal.