FTSE 100 Stocks Rebound; Resolution, British Land, Land Securities Rally

(Bloomberg) -- U.K. stocks climbed, rebounding after
yesterday dropping the most since 2003. British Land Co. Plc and
Land Securities Group Plc paced the advance.

Resolution Plc rose the most in four months after a
shareholder objected to the insurer's $8 billion agreement to buy
Friends Provident Plc. BG Group Plc gained after the oil and gas
producer reported higher earnings.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Resolution takes on Friends in $18 bln deal

(Reuters) - By Clara Ferreira-Marques



LONDON, July 25 - Resolution and Friends Provident have agreed an all-share merger to create Friends Financial, Britain's fourth-largest life assurer with a market value of 8.6 billion pounds .


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

European Insurance Stocks Gain; Hypo Real Estate, Nestle Lead Decline

(Bloomberg) -- European insurance stocks rose, led
by Friends Provident Plc and Resolution Plc, after the companies
said they are in talks for a merger that would create the U.K.'s
fifth-biggest insurer.

Friends Provident Plc jumped the most in more than two
months. Hypo Real Estate Holding AG paced declining shares after
the German real-estate financing company agreed to buy Depfa Bank
Plc for 5.7 billion euros ($7.9 billion).


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News