In a clear sign it’s still working on the $18.4 billion joint...

In a clear sign it’s still working on the $18.4 billion joint bid despite exclusivity running out on Tuesday, Street Talk’s spotted Brookfield casting its net wide for deep-pocketed institutional investors to invest alongside it in the equity stack.Sources said Brookfield had been approached by global and local superannuation funds and other interested parties keen to have a look at the deal after Origin’s board disclosed the indicative bid in November. And the Canadian infrastructure giant had reached out to others itself, as its due diligence progressed, keen to address the funding requirement.So far, Brookfield’s held talks with pension funds (local as well as Canadian), and sovereign wealth funds.The talks have occurred as recently as the past few weeks, suggesting the syndicate isn’t fully formed yet, despite it being six months since the Canadian investor sent its opening salvo to Origin chairman Scott Perkins.