RENEE MONTAGNE, host: NPR's business news starts with the collapse of an AIG deal.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: The British insurance company Prudential is calling off plans to buy AIG's Asian subsidiary. AIG needed the sale to pay back some of the $180 billion it still owes American taxpayers. Merger talks hit the rocks after Prudential's shareholders balked at the $35 billion price. Prudential lowered its offer, AIG refused, and the deal fell apart.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: AIG is reportedly considering a public stock offering to raise money from its Asian business.
British insurance company Prudential is calling off plans to buy AIG's Asian subsidiary. AIG needed the sale to pay back some of the $180 billion it still owes American taxpayers. Merger talks hit the rocks after Prudential's shareholders balked at the $35 billion price. Prudential lowered its offer, AIG refused and the deal fell apart.