Focus on M&A after Markel-Allied talks end

Markel and Allied World have ended advanced talks over a
transaction that could have reignited major M&A activity in the
specialty P&C sector, The Insurance
Insider can reveal.
Instead, the failed negotiations will raise questions over
whether the 2014-15 deal rush that dried up this year can resume,
given valuation levels, social issues and a diminished outlook for
(re)insurers.
According to banking sources, the two parties had held
discussions for a number of weeks before Markel pulled