Axa

Legal & General's shares have gained 3% to reach a near two-year high on rumours Swiss insurer Zurich Financial is preparing a takeover bid.

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

Axa Wealth has added its first external third-party tax wrappers to its Elevate platform by linking up with Isle of Man Assurance (IOMA).

Buyout vehicle Resolution will continue to target further life company acquisitions after posting pre-tax profits of £203m in the first half of the year.

The Government's review of NEST is now underway as part of its overall spending reforms.

The Government has announced a policy of cutting across all departments. Peter Barnett assesses what this regime of a thousand cuts means for the protection and health intermediary

Clive Cowdery's Resolution consolidation vehicle has received 95.5% shareholder take-up of its £2bn rights issue, which will help fund its part acquisition of Axa's UK business.

AXA Group's sale of part of its UK Life business to Resolution Group has led to a 30% drop in income for the first half of 2010.

Axa Wealth reported new business rose 45% to £1.9bn in the first half of 2010, helped by its Elevate wrap and a hike in the sales of personal pensions and offshore bonds.

Architas Multi-Manager, part of Axa UK, has appointed ex Barclays Wealth man Hans Georgeson as managing director.