AES (AES) is exploring options, including a potential sale of the company, due to takeover interest from large investment firms, Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

A few major private equity and infrastructure investors are interested in acquiring the company after its shares lost about half their value over two years.

A leveraged buyout of AES at an enterprise value of about $40 billion would rank among the biggest of all time, according to the report.

AES did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.

Shares of AES were up 14% in after-hours activity.

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