Wimm-Bill-Dann, the Russian food and drink producer, has denied reports in the international press that it is being eyed by Nestle, the giant Swiss food and drink group.
A report in last week's UK Sunday Times newspaper said that Nestle was looking to take a controlling stake in Wimm-Bill-Dann.
The Russian company listed on the New York Stock Exchange after a public offering earlier this year, and a company spokesman said this meant that any sale of shares was out of the question.
Under the rules of the exchange, the company is subject to a 'blackout period' which prohibits major shareholders from any significant share dealings until 8 August. The spokesman stressed that no one had raised the subject of a Nestle bid.