Ryan Beck

Ryan Beck & Co. of Florham Park, N.J., may be acquired by St. Louis-based regional brokerage Stifel Nicolaus.

According to reports in Wall Street Letter (subscription required)and South Florida Business Journal, Ryan Beck officials told its branch managers that it is in acquisitions negotiations. If a deal is reached, an announcement will likely be made by February.

One analyst said he expects the price of the sale to range between $150 million and $200
million.

Ryan Beck, which is owned by BankAtlantic Bancorps in Fort Lauderdale, FL, has 424 reps and 37 branches, according to the Securities Industry Association’s most recent Year Book.

Ryan Beck, its parent company and Stifel Nicolaus did not return phone calls at press time.