The firms were named this morning in a Reuters report citing sources familiar with the matter. Another data and marketing group, Acxiom, was also mentioned, but the company has since issued statement denying having bid for InfoGroup.

InfoGroup was reported last week to be preparing to open its books to potential acquirers, having spent the better part of a year assessing options for maximising shareholder value after founder and major shareholder Vin Gupta floated the idea of a sale last December.

The company’s board did not comment directly on whether a sale process was under way, but stressed no decision had been made to sell the company.

InfoGroup reported third-quarter results last week showing revenue down 14% to $125m, with operating income of $9.4m and net profit of $4.8m. Sales in its MR division – which includes Opinion Research Corporation, NWC and Guideline – fell 16% to $24m, with an operating loss of $700,000 compared to an operating income last year of $1.4m.