Farmers Group filed a notice of appeal...

Farmers Group filed a notice of appeal of last week’s Los Angeles Superior Court ruling to overturn a California Department of Insurance finding that Batus Inc. is unfit to acquire Farmers because governmental agencies own more than 10% of the stock of Batus’ British parent, BAT Industries. Batus, which is seeking to acquire the Los Angeles-based insurer for $4.35 billion, must receive the blessing of regulators in each state where Farmers or a subsidiary is headquartered.