Aviva has issued a stark warning to its shareholder base regarding a coordinated effort by US investment firm Litani to purchase its shares at below-market prices.
The insurer, led by CEO Amanda Blanc, described the activity as a deceptive 'mini-tender offer' targeting approximately 100,000 small investors.
The firm’s intervention highlights the persistent vulnerability of retail shareholders to aggressive and potentially manipulative trading tactics by external capital groups.
The scheme involves Litani approaching Aviva’s retail investors directly, attempting to secure blocks of shares at a discount.
By bypassing the open market, such tactics can distort price discovery and create an uneven playing field for other market participants.
Aviva’s public disclosure serves as a protective measure, urging investors to reject these unsolicited offers and trade through regulated channels to ensure fair valuation.