The UK Competition & Markets Author22 Feb 2017 14:45
LONDON (Alliance News) - The UK Competition & Markets Authority on Wednesday said it is considering whether Cambian Group PLC's proposed sale of its adult services division to Cygnet Health Care Ltd could cause a lessening of competition in the market.
Cambian Group formally completed the sale on December 28 after securing shareholder approval. The original deal was struck earlier that month with Cygnet, a subsidiary of the US's Universal Health Services Inc, which paid GBP377 million for the business.
Cambian cleared all of its debt following the transaction.
However, the CMA has now invited comments about the combination of Cygent Health Care and Cambian's unit from any interested party before March 8, before a decision is made on April 21 on whether to advance the investigation into a phase 2, in-depth probe.
"The Competition & Markets Authority is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the UK for goods or services," said the regulator.
Cambian shares were trading down 1.4% on Wednesday afternoon at 144.44 pence per share.
By Joshua Warner; joshuawarner@alliancenews.com; @JoshAlliance