AXA has ended discussions with Natixis over a possible merger of their asset management operations, French website Boursier.com said Oct 18, citing Bloomberg News with a source informed on the matter.

No deal was reached between the two companies, the report said.

AXA Investment Managers SA, the unit in question, remains a strategic asset for the French insurance giant, according to its CEO, who recently acknowledged that it was exploring possible tie-ups.