Maytag might end takeover talks with a consortium led by China's Haier earlier than expected, in a move that could ease concerns expressed last week by Ripplewood, the US appliance maker's other suitor, about the damaging effect of a protracted bid battle.

Last month, Haier and US private equity groups Bain Capital and Blackstone made a preliminary offer to buy Maytag, the manufacturer of Hoover vacuum cleaners, for $1.28bn in cash.