On Oct 14 an Italian newspaper reported that MSC, the world’s largest container-ship operator, is exploring a bid for EasyJet. The report said MSC might team up with an investment fund to buy a stake or even full control of the UK airlineproactiveinvestors.commarketscreener.com. In early London trading EasyJet stock soared on the newsreuters.com. By late morning the jump had eased to mid-single digits, especially after MSC publicly denied the rumours. MSC’s emailed statement – “MSC denies any involvement in this matter” – was picked up by Reuters and dampened some of the rallymarketscreener.comxtb.com. EasyJet did not confirm or deny the report when asked.