" The Economist" reportedly selling 27% stake, attracting competition from wealthy individuals and media giants.

According to Reuters, citing sources, the sale of a 27% stake in The Economist magazine has entered a critical stage, with at least a dozen bidders, including billionaires and media companies, expressing preliminary interest. The sources revealed that philanthropist Lynn Forester de Rothschild has decided to sell the Rothschild family's stake in The Economist, three years after her husband, Evelyn de Rothschild, passed away. Evelyn served as chairman of The Economist from 1972 to 1989. A person familiar with the matter stated that about 20% of the shares being sold by the Rothschild family are voting shares, and the transaction could potentially value the media company at around 800 million. Due to The Economist's governance structure, which aims to ensure the editorial independence of the 182-year-old publication, and prohibits any individual or company from having a controlling stake in the parent company, this sale is more complex. The Economist has a stable profit and continues to grow its subscriber base. According to its latest data, the six-month revenue as of September 30th this year was 170 million, with operating profit of 20 million, a 23% increase year-on-year.