Hong Kong-listed Fosun International is in talks to buy the US life insurance arm of Swiss Re, the Zurich-based firm, in a deal worth between $400 million and $500 million.

 Hong Kong-listed Fosun International is in talks to buy the US life insurance arm of Swiss Re, the Zurich-based firm, in a deal worth between $400 million and $500 million, according to Bloomberg.

Such a deal to buy the firm, called Aurora National Life Assurance Co, hasn’t been reached and may not go ahead, , had not yet been reached and could still fall through, the news service said, citing unnamed sources.

Fosun International could not be reached for comment at the time of going to press; this publication contacted Swiss Re but a spokesperson in Zurich said it would comment on market rumours or speculation.

In 2007, Fosun International was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It has made a number of recent acquisitions, adding to speculation about future intentions. Earlier in August, Fosun International reached an agreement to buy 20 per cent of US insurance business Ironshore.