Songbird Estates, which owns most of London's second financial district Canary Wharf, on Friday said it hasn't received any approaches from investor and major shareholder Qatar Investment Authority, but its shares soared on speculation that the Gulf sovereign wealth fund is considering a takeover of the property specialist.

A spokeswoman for Songbird said the company hasn't received "any approach" from QIA at all, whether to launch a bid or increase its shareholding in the company.