Barclays in private equity talks over iShares

It is understood the sale of its ETF arm - which has around £300bn in assets under management - could raise between £3bn-£5bn (US$4.2bn-$7bn). A source familiar with the situation says the negotiations are "far advanced" and that any deal will likely include "a lot of seller financing". But he also said that TA Associates and Hellman and Friedman - both private equity firms active in the fund management markets - were not involved. Market watchers say the timing for the sale is ideal. The source claims: "It is the best time - growth is strong, profits are high, and the ETF business ...