Mutual fund industry sources speculate that Michael Lee-Chin's AIC Ltd. could be available for sale or a potential merger.

Lacklustre growth and increased competition have left some firms struggling to end unit holders cashing out and are contemplating potential deals, a number of industry sources said.

The article goes on to say that Mr.Lee-Chin, AIC's chairman and chief executive officer, has been distracted by AIC's sister company Berkshire Group of Companies other interests, including Jamaican banking. AIC has lost a handful of key managers, it's assets under management has declined from more than $14-billion to about $12-billion and fund performance has suffered.