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Investors on Tuesday increased their bets that other bidders would emerge for Bear Stearns or that JPMorgan would be forced to improve its $2-per-share offer, driving Bear’s shares to nearly three times JPMorgan’s agreed takeover price, reports the FT. Investors bet that some shareholders, such as Joseph Lewis, the billionaire investor who is believed to hold about 9% of Bear, and some of Bear’s employees could force an increase in the takeover price. Bear’s stock closed at $5.91 on Tuesday, up 23%, after hitting $8.50. Reuters, meanwhile, reports that New York City’s comptroller, who helps oversee the city’s pension funds, is to investigate whether Bear’s failure was due to miscalculation or deception, which could trigger a lawsuit to recover losses.