U.K. publisher Pearson PLC (PSO) said Friday that Interactive Data Corp. (IDC) is reviewing "strategic alternatives" as speculation mounts that the New York-listed financial market data provider will be sold.

Pearson, the publisher of the Financial Times and Penguin books, owns about 61% of IDC. Its said it couldn't give any assurances over the potential outcome of the review, or its timing, and doesn't intend to make any further statements "unless and until it becomes appropriate to do so."

IDC's clients include many of the world's largest banks, funds, asset managers and securities companies. Competitors include Thomson Reuters Corp. (TRI) and FactSet Research Systems Inc (FDS).

Pearson acquired most of IDC in 2000, when FT Interactive data was merged with Data Broadcasting Corp.

Pearson is scheduled to provide a full-year trading statement Jan. 19.

-By Steve McGrath, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9284; steve.mcgrath@dowjones.com
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