Aviva shares leap on speculation of takeover by foreign buyer

Aviva’s share price has risen by about 50% since Amanda Blanc became chief executive in July 2020. Photograph: Aviva/PA

Shares in Aviva, the UK’s biggest insurer, jumped after reports that it could be the target of a takeover by a foreign buyer.

Its shares rose as much as 10% at one point on Friday before closing 5% higher at 407.9p, valuing the company at £11.2bn and catapulting it to the top of the FTSE 100 index. Other UK insurance stocks, including Legal & General, Prudential and Phoenix, also rose.