CVSL Offers $268M to Buy Direct Seller Blyth

CVSL, a direct-selling company run by Mary Kay Inc.'s former chairman, has offered to buy Blyth Inc. for about $268 million, two people with knowledge of the matter said. CVSL offered to pay $16.75 a share for Blyth, which sells candles, fragrances and ViSalus weight-loss products, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The offer, which was extended last week, could be made public by CVSL as soon as today, one of the people said. Blyth rose 21 percent to close at yesterday, giving it a market value of $248.2 million.