The Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie Group Limited (ASX:MQG) on March 7, 2023 dismissed as speculation reports the Australian investment bank was exploring a takeover bid of about GBP 5 billion ($6 billion) for British money manager M&G plc (LSE:MNG). "There are so many speculated transactions. So, we wait and talk about them once they are actually done," Shemara Wikramanayake, Chief Executive Officer, said at the AFR Business Summit in Sydney, when asked about the deal.

The takeover bid was reported earlier this month by Sky News, which said Macquarie was yet to make an approach to M&G's board. Macquarie has previously targeted infrastructure assets in the U.K. including the gas transmission assets of National Grid plc (LSE:NG.)'s. M&G has not commented on the reports.