SECURITIES

Key Kemper Shareholders Support GE Bid: Key shareholders of Kemper Corp. said the company should sell out to General Electric Capital because other potential suitors probably won’t top GE’s best offer, expected by some to rise to $70 a share. GE Capital Services, the financial arm of General Electric Co., disclosed Monday that it had offered to pay $55 a share, or $2.35 billion, for Kemper. GE indicated it would be willing to consider a higher bid if Kemper would allow GE to examine its real estate portfolio, just one of Kemper’s assets. Kemper characterized GE’s offer as a “shocking assault” but said its directors will discuss it at their regular meeting today.