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Challenger Financial Services Group, an Australian fund manager backed by billionaire James Packer, dismissed speculation the company may have received a takeover or merger approach.
"The only weddings that I'm aware of took place last week and there are no weddings happening around here," chief executive Mike Tilley told analysts on a conference call.
Tilley was alluding to the marriage in France last week of Packer to model Erica Baxter.
Packer, Australia's richest man, is Challenger's biggest shareholder, with a 22 per cent stake, according to Bloomberg data.
The stock has climbed 44 per cent this year, making it the best performer in the 53-member S&P/ASX 200 Finance Index.