Beleaguered telecoms equipment group Marconi has conceded it is "vulnerable" to a takeover attempt.
Last week Marconi warned of falling profits and announced 4,000 job cuts, pushing its shares into freefall.
The firm lost half its value in one day, but the stock continued to slump and by Friday it closed at 104.5p - a far cry from a high of 12.50 last year.
The drop has made it susceptible to possible takeover attempts, and analysts are already linking the group with US rival Cisco.
A spokeswoman said: "It is fair to say that there is likely to be consolidation within the market and we recognise that Marconi is probably going to be a part of that.
"But whether we are going to be a target, I could not really comment on that."
But in a report in The Sunday Business, chief executive Mr George Simpson hinted he would be seeking a merger partner once the company's financial position stabilised.
He said there were no current talks but admitted the group was "vulnerable" because of its share price.
PA