By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – The Wall Street Journal reports today (Tuesday) that merger talks between St. Louis-based May Department Stores and rival Federated are off.
The paper cites unidentified sources, who say the two could not agree on how much Federated would pay for May.
Federated owns Macy's and Bloomingdale's, among other chains. May's assets include Famous Barr, Lord & Taylor, and Marshall Field's.
The newspaper says May's board was prepared to negotiate a deal, with May's interim chief executive John Dunham phoning Federated CEO Terry Lundgren, but adds the two were unable to agree on a price.
Speculation about a Federated-May hookup has simmered for weeks.
Both companies have declined comment about the matter.