Eni SpA (NYSE: E) is reportedly in preliminary talks to buy private-equity-backed gas and oil producer Neptune Energy for around $5 billion -$6 billion.
Neptune produces around 130,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed), primarily gas.
U.S. stocks traded lower toward the end of trading amid protests over COVID-19 restrictions in China. The Dow Jones dropped more than 450 points on Monday.