BUZZ-Bumble eyes best day ever on report Ithaca Holdings nears take-private deal

Updates

** Shares of dating app operator Bumble BMBL.O up 52% at $3.86; on track for their biggest daily gain on record, if current levels hold

** Bumble is in advanced talks to be taken private by Ithaca Holdings in a deal valuing the company at roughly $1 billion, Reuters reports citing a source familiar with the matter

** Bumble and Ithaca Holdings not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment

** Reuters exclusively reported earlier this year that Bumble was exploring a sale amid slowing growth in the online dating sector

** Bumble had a market value of about $389 million through Friday's close

** Including session's move, BMBL up 9.2% YTD

(Reporting by Varun Sahay in Bengaluru)

((Varun.sahay@thomsonreuters.com))