Mediclinic, the big South African hospital operator, has snapped up a 29.9% stake in Spire, the UK’s second largest hospital group for £432m. The move which might have pre-empted US buyers, surprised analysts, who said that as recently as February 2015, Mediclinic management was saying it had no plans to invest in mature, developed markets. Shares in Mediclinic at ZAR 10,317 are up just 3% on the announcement of the deal. Meanwhile, talks between Netcare, the largest South African group and Mater Private, the second largest Irish player, have collapsed.
June 26, 2015