FTSE flattened as Pru takeover rumour is quashed

The FTSE 100 index dropped just 2 points to 4,615.4 by the end of Friday, but Liberty International had the best gains and to add16.5p or 1.96% to 859p. Talk surfaced earlier today which indicated the life insurance group Prudential Assurance was the subject of a takeover by HBOS. Pru’s closest rival Aviva eventually closed up 9p or 1.7% to 537.5p while Pru earned an extra 5.75p or 1.49% to 392p from the rumour. Similarly Easyjet is rumoured to be a target for an Icelandic airline, so has seen its share price jump. Easyjet closed up 21p or 16% to 152p. Amvescap closed down 11p or 3...