Mergers & acquisitions

Advent Software Inc. (Nasdaq: ADVS) has hired Qatalyst Partners to advise on a possible sale of the company, according to Reuters. News of the possible deal sent Advent shares up more than 10%, valuing the accounting software company at nearly $1.5 billion. www.advent.com

Asda, a British retailer owned by Wal-Mart Group (NYSE: WMT), is considering a bid for bankrupt HMV, according to The Telegraph. Restructuring firm Hilco also is expected to bid, having already purchased HMV's debt. Deloitte is managing the process. www.hmv.com

National Financial Partners (NYSE: NFP), a New York-based wealth management firm, has hired BoA Merrill Lynch to explore a possible sale, according to Reuters. NFP has a market cap of around $800 million. www.nfp.com

Cordis Corp., a unit of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has acquired Flexible Stenting Solutions Inc., an Eatontown, N.J.–based developer of flexible peripheral arterial, venous and biliary stents. No financial terms were disclosed. FSS had raised VC funding from Burrill & Co., Goodman Co. and GBP Capital. www.flexiblestent.com

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. has hired J.P. Morgan to find a buyer for its 50% stake in French floormaker Tarkett SA, according to Bloomberg. The deal could be worth upwards of $1.9 billion, with KKR also considering an IPO. www.kkr.com

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