Aviva

Aviva's share price has received a boost today amid rumours of bid interest from French peer Axa.

Chairman of Aviva Lord Sharman said today the rejection of a buyout bid from RSA was an undisputed board decision.

Aviva has turned down an estimated £5bn bid from rival RSA for its general insurance operations in the UK and other markets.

Allan Bridgewater, who died on 5 August aged 74, was a true giant of the insurance industry.

The UK market will continue to shift towards protection says Aviva's Toby Strauss, after the insurer reported its third consecutive quarter of life sales growth.

Aviva recorded a 21% jump in operating profit in the first half of the year, with the insurer declaring 6% dividend increase.

Aviva has signed a five year deal to provide protection products for Santander from June 2011.

The ABI has appointed Aviva Investors chief executive Alain Dromer as chairman of its Investment Committee, effective from 15 September.

The cost of capital for companies with controversial environmental and human rights records should be higher than more ethical companies, says Aviva Investors.

The IFA industry has been abuzz this week following a BBC Money Watch programme highlighting the plight of thousands of customers mis-sold a ‘Balanced' fund by Barclays ‘salespeople'.