Aberdeen Asset Management shares are top of the FTSE risers board this morning following speculation it has been seeking out potential buyers.

While the fund manager, which is headed by Martin Gilbert, has strongly denied the rumours the stock is more than four per cent up in early trading.

Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets, said the bounce was a prime example of the market “buying the rumour”.

RBC Capital Markets suggested there appeared little likelihood of Aberdeen putting itself on the market.