Intense competition intensifies for Assura surgical company as bidding escalates

Investment experts believe that the PHP proposal is a more appealing choice for Assura shareholders. The competition has led to both sides increasing their bids multiple times.

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2025 May 24 . 3:37 AM

2 min read

PHP Proposal Appears More Enticing for Assura Shareholders, intensifying the competing bids as both... — PHP Proposal Appears More Enticing for Assura Shareholders, intensifying the competing bids as both sides have escalated their deals multiple times.

Intense competition intensifies for Assura surgical company as bidding escalates

Battles Heat Up Over GP Surgery Owner Assura

The bid war for Assura, a significant player in managing GP surgeries and other healthcare facilities, escalated after Primary Health Properties (PHP) proposed an eye-popping £1.7 billion bid—beating American buyout giant KKR's initial offer by a narrow margin.

Assura's board received the latest PHP proposal last night, with the company already accepting a £1.6 billion bid from KKR last month. With the PHP offer, Assura shareholders could receive 51.7p per share, compared to KKR's 49.4p per share offer (equivalent to £1.61 billion).

Analysts believe the PHP offer to be more attractive for Assura shareholders due to its financial terms. The Assura versus PHP showdown has seen both parties trading higher bids to clinch the deal.

Both Assura and PHP, being major landlords to the NHS, own a wide range of healthcare facilities across the UK, including hospitals, hospices, and doctors' surgeries.

If the proposed PHP deal materializes, Assura would become the latest company to depart London's flailing stock market. It's worth noting that KKR, a prominent private equity firm in the US, has partnered with New York investment firm Stonepeak for its takeover attempt.

In the eventuality of the PHP offer succeeding, Assura shareholders would hold around 48% of the combined group, creating the 9th largest UK-listed Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with an estimated £6 billion portfolio.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!

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As the bidding war intensifies for Assura, a healthcare facility management company, analysts are advising investors to closely watch the financial sector, as the outcome could impact stock prices.
If the PHP offer, which includes owning property healthcare facilities like Assura, is successful, it will result in a significant change in the UK's Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) landscape, with the combined group becoming one of the largest in the market.
Amidst the heated competition between Assura and PHP for control of the healthcare properties, investors looking to diversify their portfolio might consider exploring investment opportunities in the finance and business sectors, particularly in real estate and private equity.