Prologis Nears Deal to Buy DCT

An announcement for a deal could come as soon as Sunday

Prologis Inc. is nearing an agreement to buy logistics provider DCT Industrial Trust Inc. in a deal that could be valued at about $8 billion or more. Photo: staff/Reuters

Prologis Inc. PLD 1.08% is nearing an agreement to buy logistics provider DCT DCT 0.82% Industrial Trust Inc. in a deal that could be valued at about $8 billion or more, according to people familiar with the matter.

Terms of the talks couldn't be learned, but the two sides could announce a deal as soon as Sunday, the people said. DCT has a market value of nearly $6 billion.

The company, based in Denver, is an industrial real-estate investment trust with a specialization in logistics.

Prologis, a big logistics provider based in San Francisco, has a market value of $36 billion.

Prologis is the world’s largest owner of distribution centers and logistics properties, a market that has been changing rapidly as e-commerce fulfillment needs have drawn more investment into the field and warehouse development in the U.S., Europe and Asia has boomed.

Write to Dana Mattioli at dana.mattioli@wsj.com