Direct Line shares soared 41% on Thursday after it rejected a 3.28 billion pound ($4.15 billion) takeover bid from rival Aviva , as analysts expect a bidding war over the British motor and home ...

Direct Line has accepted an improved takeover offer from Aviva that will see the U.K.’s largest insurer fully-acquire its smaller rival for £3.6 billion ($4.6 billion). In a joint statement ...