Prudential

Prudential's top executives are in the firing line at the company's AGM today as they face down shareholders angry over the insurer's failed bid for Asian insurer AIA.

GOSLING'S GROUSE

Empire building can be a fine pursuit and is the reason why some of the world's great companies are the money-making, dividend-paying growth vehicles they are today.

M&G has recorded net inflows of £3.4bn over the first five months of the year.

A number of the UK's most respected fund managers have called for the removal of Prudential CEO Tidjane Thiam.

Jupiter's Guy de Blonay has joined the growing condemnation of Pru's Harvey McGrath and Tidjane Thiam, calling for new leadership after the failure to acquire AIA.

Robin Geffen, the architect of Pru's AIA downfall, believes the botched deal could be a defining moment in the fight for investor justice.

Prudential plans to terminate its proposed acquisition of AIA after failing to reduce the $35.5bn cost of the deal.

Prudential nemesis Robin Geffen says it is "inconceivable" the insurer can push on with its plan to acquire AIA after failing to lower the price of the deal.

The FTSE continues to fall in early trading, weighed down by fears over the global economic recovery and a massive sell-off in BP shares.