PROVIDENCE – A consortium of private-equity groups led by Providence Equity Partners Inc. may be considering a slightly higher offer for Informa Plc after the U.K.-based business information group rejected its downwardly-revised bid of 1.9 billion pounds, or about $3.4 billion, Bloomberg News said today.

The offer was “fully funded,” Informa said. The British company owns and publishes maritime newsletter Lloyd’s List, along with more than 2,000 other trade publications, and organizes 10,000 conferences per year.

Hugh Morrison of M Communications, a spokesman for Providence Equity, declined to comment on the rejection, Bloomberg said. But analysts at Investec wrote, in a note to investors today, that “it is not out of the question they come back with a slightly higher offer than the rejected 450 pence” per share. Their note cited the amount of time the bidders had spent “getting financing in place.”

Providence Equity, The Carlyle Group and Hellman & Friedman LLC had teamed up earlier this summer to plan a bid for Informa, and in June submitted an offer of 506 pence a share, or 2.15 billion pounds. Hellman & Friedman since has left the consortium and been replaced by rival Blackstone Group LP, Providence Equity yesterday confirmed. (READ MORE)

Providence Equity Partners Inc. is a global private investment firm – based in Providence, with offices in Los Angeles, New York City, London, Hong Kong and New Delhi – that specializes in media, entertainment, communications and information companies. Since its founding in 1989, Providence Equity has made investments in more than 100 companies. Its equity commitments total about $21 billion. Additional information is available at www.provequity.com. To learn more about Informa Plc, visit www.informa.com.