Comcast Corp. sold $1.5 billion of bonds to refinance its debt, leading to speculation that the nation’s largest cable provider may buy out the Walt Disney Co.’s stake in its E! Entertainment Television subsidiary.

Bloomberg News is reporting that the Philadelphia-based cable company issued $900 million of 5.875 percent securities due in 2018 along with $600 million of 6.45 percent bonds maturing in 2037.

The company said in a filing that the proceeds will be used to repay debt due in the next nine months or less. Analysts believe it may use the money to buy out Disney’s 39.5 percent stake in E!, which has a value of about $1.2 billion.

Shares in Comcast were down 18 cents to $40.38 while shares in Disney were down 5 cents to $32.48 in early trading Wednesday.