Source: Sharecast
Spire Healthcare surged to the top of the FTSE 250 on a report in the Economic Times suggesting India’s Narayana Health was in talks with the company’s shareholders about buying a controlling stake. However, gains were soon trimmed after Narayana issued a statement denying the story.
Citing people familiar with the matter, the Economic Times said Narayana plans to buy at least 51% of Spire via an open offer, but if Narayana manages to acquire around 75%, it may consider taking the company private.
Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell, said: "Australia’s Ramsay Health tabled a £1 billion bid in 2021 but the target’s shareholders voted it down. Spire’s valuation has weakened considerably since mid-2023 and that looks to have put it on the radar of Indian private hospital group Narayana Health.
Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank both slumped after the government said it was suspending talks to join the European Union.
Market Movers
FTSE 250 - Risers
Spire Healthcare Group (SPI) 227.00p 3.42%
Direct Line Insurance Group (DLG) 231.60p 3.21%
Dr. Martens (DOCS) 67.70p 3.12%
Premier Foods (PFD) 196.40p 2.29%
Johnson Matthey (JMAT) 1,360.00p 2.26%
Telecom Plus (TEP) 1,818.00p 2.02%
TI Fluid Systems (TIFS) 192.60p 1.80%
Indivior (INDV) 888.00p 1.78%
Future (FUTR) 895.00p 1.76%
Quilter (QLT) 148.80p 1.71%
FTSE 250 - Fallers
Bank of Georgia Group (BGEO) 4,630.00p -7.31%
TBC Bank Group (TBCG) 3,005.00p -6.68%
QinetiQ Group (QQ.) 411.40p -4.37%
W.A.G Payment Solutions (WPS) 81.80p -2.62%
Travis Perkins (TPK) 758.50p -2.38%
Ninety One (N91) 159.00p -2.15%
RS Group (RS1) 708.00p -2.14%
Discoverie Group (DSCV) 619.00p -2.06%
Mony Group (MONY) 196.20p -1.56%
Pagegroup (PAGE) 361.40p -1.53%