San Francisco ? Signaling a potential breach in the resistance of PeopleSoft Inc. to a takeover, a growing number of the company’s shareholders on Friday called for management to negotiate a friendly merger with software giant Oracle Corp.

Investors impatient with sliding profit at Pleasanton, Calif.-based PeopleSoft said Oracle’s $7.7-billion tender offer deserved serious consideration, particularly after a federal judge on Thursday rejected the Justice Department’s antitrust challenge to the union.

U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker’s ruling allows Oracle to proceed with its hostile bid.

“They should sit down and talk to Oracle management and finally give up the ghost,” said PeopleSoft investor Steven Cohen of hedge-fund manager Kellner DiLeo Cohen & Co.

PeopleSoft shares on Friday rose $1.84, or 10 percent, to $19.79 in NASDAQ trading, approaching the $21-a-share offer from Oracle. Shares in Redwood City, Calif.-based Oracle rose 53 cents, or 5 percent, to $10.46 on NASDAQ.

About 7 percent of PeopleSoft stockholders have tendered their shares to Oracle.