Rumours resurface of takeover bid for Spire Healthcare

Spire Healthcare is now in the crosshairs of its major shareholder, Mediclinic International, according to a report.

According to Wallstreetwires's Zak Mir, rumours indicate that Mediclinic, which already owns 29.9% of the private healthcare provider, was now minded to take over the entire company.

Last year, analysts at JP Morgan Cazenove reportedly suggested Mediclinic might offer a 35% premium for the whole of Spire.

Previously, the rumour mill had bandied about the possibility that Mediclinic might be willing to pay a 30% premium, in conjunction with Morgan Stanley, Mir said.

As of 1446 BST, shares in Mediclinic were second on the Footsie leaderboard, gaining 3.60% to 734.50p, while those in its mooted take-over target were up by 2.70% at 338.9p.