Zurich smoked out

Great to see old school stock market reporting (with a new school digital twist) from Bryce Elder at the Financial Times smoke out a FTSE 100 takeover bid. Surely it's time for a pay rise, Ed.

In case you weren't aware how this played out, here is a link to Bryce's market report:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/bd5108b6-3480-11e5-bdbb-35e55cbae175,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2Fbd5108b6-3480-11e5-bdbb-35e55cbae175.html%3Fsiteedition%3Duk&siteedition=uk&_i_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fmarkets%2Fbryce-elder#axzz3h7FpuMkh

And here is this morning's confirmation to Bryce's story:

For immediate release

Statement Regarding RSA Insurance Group plc

Zurich Insurance Group Ltd ("Zurich") notes the recent market speculation in relation to RSA Insurance Group plc ("RSA") and confirms that it is evaluating a possible offer for RSA.  This announcement does not amount to a firm intention to make an offer under Rule 2.7 of the Code and there can be no assurance that any offer will be made.

In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, Zurich is required, by not later than 5.00 p.m. on 25th August 2015 to either announce a firm intention to make an offer for RSA in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code") or announce that it does not intend to make an offer, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline can be extended with the consent of the Panel in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code.

A further announcement will be made in due course.

Enquiries:

Zurich
Media Relations	Tel: +41 (0)44 625 21 00
Investor Relations	Tel: +41 (0)44 625 22 99
Morgan Stanley
(Financial Adviser to Zurich)	Tel: +44 (0)20 7425 8000
Eric Bischof
Matteo Castelvetri
Ian Hart