Aviva rejects takeover talk

Norwich Union owner Aviva today denied speculation it had tabled a takeover bid for one of its American rivals.

Aviva dismissed a report that it made a move valuing life insurer AmerUs at just under $3bn (€2.4bn), as part of plans to expand across the Atlantic.

The group said in a statement to the stock exchange: “Aviva confirms that it has not made such a proposal and no discussions with AmerUs are taking place.”

However, it said it continued to look at “value-driven inorganic growth opportunities” in the major global long term savings market.

According to the Guardian, Aviva launched a foray into the American insurance market after failing to agree £30bn (€44bn) merger with domestic rival Prudential.