** Shares of oil and gas company Antero Resources AR.N down ~2% at $36.34 premarket

** AR is in advanced talks to acquire privately held shale gas producer HG Energy, Bloomberg reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter

** Antero had explored a potential sale that valued it at more than $3 billion in 2022, according to the report

** Separately, J.P. Morgan cut rating to "neutral" from "overweight" and lowers PT to $39 from $44, still a potential 6.1% upside to Friday close

** As of last close, AR up ~5% YTD

(Reporting by Dharna Bafna in Bengaluru)

((Dharna.bafna@thomsonreuters.com))