HARRIS CORP. MAY PUT ITSELF UP FOR SALE

Harris Corp. is exploring its options and could eventually choose to put itself on the market, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal.

The story, written by Matthew Karnitschnig and Dennis K. Berman, says that the process could end a long run of independence for the 113-year-old company, which supplies technical infrastructure used in everything from HDTV broadcast systems to air traffic control systems and jet fighter radios.

The company has a market cap of $7.3 billion and has seen its share price quadruple over the past four years, thanks largely to defense needs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sources warn that the Melbourne, FL-based company is only in the early stages of exploration about its future.

Harris is expected to receive interest from defense and general industrial companies that could include Raytheon, BAE Systems, and Northrup Grumman, the WSJ story says.

A challenge for the defense contractor, the story says, would be whether to keep Harris' civil sector business, in particular, its TV broadcast technology unit.

WSJ Online subscribers may read the full story here.