Canada's AltaGas in merger talks with Washington Gas parent: WSJ

(Reuters) - Canada's AltaGas is in talks to merge with WGL Holdings Inc , the parent of natural-gas utility Washington Gas, in a deal worth $5 billion-$6 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. WGL's shares rose 6.8 percent to $81 in late-afternoon trading on Thursday, while AltaGas's stock was down 1.3 pct at C$33.65.