CNA file photo

Taipei, Sept. 20 (CNA) Smartphone vendor HTC announced Wednesday that it is suspending trading of its shares on the Taiwan market from Thursday, giving credence to rumors that an announcement is imminent that its smartphone business will be acquired by Google.

The rumors swirled again earlier Wednesday when witnesses reported that HTC was setting up the public space on the second floor of its headquarters in Xindian, New Taipei to prepare for a meeting with all staff members or an announcement of a major strategic move.

Last year, Google retained HTC as a contract manufacturer of its Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones. A Federal Communications Commission (FCC) document that was disclosed earlier this year indicated that HTC has been making the Pixel 2, which Google is expected to begin selling later this year, further suggesting the close ties between the two companies.

As of press time, HTC had remained mum on the rumors, while Google said it does not comment on market speculation. 

(By Wu Chia-hao and S.C. Chang) 
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