Home Depot gets $10 bn buyout offer

Home Depot Inc., the world's largest home-improvement retailer, will receive separate offers of about $10 billion for its contractor-supplies unit from two private- equity groups, people familiar with the negotiations said.

Bain Capital LLC, Carlyle Group and Clayton Dubilier & Rice Inc. make up one group, and the other includes Thomas H. Lee Partners LP and CCMP Capital Advisors LLC, according to sources.

Though the agreement hasn't been reached, final bids are due on Friday. Home Depot told investors in February it would consider shedding its HD Supply unit, which sells lumber and tools to contractors.

A sale would reverse former Chief Executive Officer Robert Nardelli's plan to generate 20 per cent of Home Depot's revenue from the division, a strategy criticized by investors. ``It's a sign they see more opportunities in retail,'' said Sarah Henry, a Berwyn, Pennsylvania-based analyst with MFC Global Investment Management.