** Shares of collaboration software maker Smartsheet
climb 2.1% to $53.27
** Vista Equity Partners and Blackstone in advanced talks to acquire SMAR in a deal that could value it at close to $8 bln, Reuters reports
** Private equity firms mulling an offer of around $56/shr, report says
** YTD as of last close, stock has gained 9.2%
(Reporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru)
((Niket.Nishant@thomsonreuters.com))