-- Nestle is close to a deal to sell about half of its European water business to private-equity firm Platinum Equity, the FT reports, citing unnamed sources.

-- The deal would be structured as a joint venture and would value the unit behind Perrier water at nearly 5 billion euros ($5.70 billion), the FT reports.

-- Nestle declined to comment to the FT, while Platinum didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Write to Mauro Orru at mauro.orru@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires