BP Plc ’s shares surged the most this year after a London newspaper reported on rumors that Exxon Mobil Corp. sounded out major shareholders over a potential takeover. While a bid for BP can’t be ruled out, reports about Exxon’s interest have been around for years and analysts from Macquarie Capital Ltd. to Canaccord Genuity said a deal was unlikely. “The report about Exxon and BP seems to be just a rumor because because there doesn’t appear to be an obvious strategic fit,” said Anish Kapadia, a senior research analyst at Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co International LLP. “It would create a company potentially too big and complex to be manageable.” Exxon and BP spokesmen declined to comment. Oil’s current downturn has resulted in just one big deal — Royal Dutch Shell Plc ’s $54 billion acquisition of BG Group Plc last year. Others have preferred to do smaller […]