Neptune and Martin Currie eye large Gartmore stake - papers

Neptune and Martin Currie are the latest asset managers to be linked with troubled group Gartmore, with rumours suggesting the pair have expressed an interest in acquiring a stake in the firm.

The Financial Times reports US private equity group Hellman & Friedman, which owns 24.3% of Gartmore, has been sounded out by potential buyers of its stake.

Citing trader rumours, the paper says Neptune and Martin Currie are among the groups eying the holding.

The latest developments come just weeks after Henderson was linked to the stricken fund manager. However, Henderson chief Andrew Formica reiterated the group's interests remain in the US and Asia.

Gartmore is at the forefront of takeover rumours, as its share price languishes more than £1 below its December 2009 flotation price.

It has had a turbulent time since listing, with star manager Guillaume Rambourg suspended in March over allegations he broke company trading rules. Shares in the asset manager slumped 30% on the news.

Rambourg was later reinstated as an analyst, but resigned in July to concentrate on an FSA probe into his actions.

Gartmore shares closed Tuesday up 0.2% to 118p.