The private equity firms Blackstone Group, Providence Equity Partners Inc. and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. are said to be considering making an offer for America’s second largest newspaper publisher Knight Ridder. What might stop the bid is the company's estimated 4 billion dollar price tag, possibly too expensive for the three firms.

Meanwhile, all but absolutely necessary spending at Knight Ridder has been cut while investment bankers try to work out who might buy the company.

Source: Morningstar, The Philadelphia Inquirer