MARKET TALK: Manulife +0.9%, Volume Light; Calm To AIA News

28th Jun 2010 05:03

0403 GMT [Dow Jones] Manulife Financial (0945.HK) +0.9% at HK$124.50 on light volume, largely ignoring comments it would be interested in buying AIA. Spokesman for Canada's biggest life insurer actually seems to tone down comments made earlier by chief executive Don Guloien in Thursday's Globe and Mail newspaper that company is interested in being "a potential suitor" for AIG's (AIG) Asian unit; spokesman stresses "disciplined approach", "at the right price". Prudential (PRU.LN) earlier this month terminated US$35.5 billion plan to buy AIA, as shareholders balked at hefty pricy tag, also US$21 billion they were asked to contribute via rights issue. ([email protected]) Contact us in Singapore. 65 64154 140; [email protected] (END) Dow Jones Newswires June 28, 2010 00:03 ET (04:03 GMT)