Insurers and banks back in favour | Business | Guardian Unlimited Business

Insurers and banks back in favour Business Guardian Unlimited Business: "As the latest news in the ABN Amro takeover battle emerged,Barclays was also on the rise. The UK bank confirmed that the governments of China and Singapore have both agreed to help finance an improved takeover offer for Dutch group ABN. Barclays shares rose 21.5p, or 3%, to 735p. RBS, which is leading a rival bid for ABN, edged up 1p to 611p.
Richard Hunter at Hargreaves Lansdown stockbrokers said it remained unclear who would win out.
"The latest instalment in this major banking tug of war has yet again thrown into doubt the identity of the eventual winner. Barclays continues to maintain that its offer will offer more synergies than that of the consortium," he said. "The most interesting part of its latest move is that it will potentially provide the existing ABN with a foothold in China - and the shareholders will need to take this into account when deciding which offer is best in the interests of the company."