A Heidelberg-manroland Merger?

Little new information has emerged over the past week about rumors that Heidelberger Druckmaschinen and manroland AG may be holding merger talks.

Last week, Bloomberg News, quoting financial newsletter Platow Brief, said that German insurer Allianz SE—which holds a 12 percent share in Heidelberg and a 65 percent stake in manroland—is pressuring the companies to merge and protect its investments. Platow did not cite a source for the information, according to Bloomberg.

Mattias Hartung, corporate communications for Heidelberg, told Bloomberg, "These are market rumors and we don't comment on market rumors."