BlackRock Inc. (BLK) is likely to announce an agreement to buy Barclays Global Investors from Barclays PLC (BCS), Pensions & Investments reported Friday, citing sources. A source not directly involved in the deal said the announcement is likely within the next few days. Another source said that although CVC, which bid $4.5 billion for BGI's iShares business, would have the option to counteroffer, its chances of topping the BlackRock offer, said to be in excess of $10 billion, would be slim. BlackRock and BGI declined to comment.

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-Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5500