Moncler plays down possible Kering tie-up amid luxury merger wave

PARIS/MILAN (Reuters) - The chief executive and top shareholder of puffer jacket maker Moncler played down speculation around a takeover by Gucci-owner Kering on Thursday, saying the two firms sometimes talked but that there was no deal in the works. Shares in the Italian label, which has become a luxury industry darling in recent years after a makeover under CEO Remo Ruffini, surged earlier after Bloomberg reported that it had held exploratory discussions with Kering.That heightened..