Germany's federal cartel office Thursday decided that
Rhoen-Klinikum AG (RHK.XE) shareholder Askelpios group can increase
its stake in the private clinic operator to up to 10.1% if specific
conditions are met.
MAIN FACTS:
-Askelpios would need to sell off two clinics in the Goslar
region, the anti-trust authority said.
-"Hospital markets are first and foremost regional markets,"
cartel office President Andreas Mundt said in the press
release.
-According to Rhoen-Klinikum's shareholding structure, strategic
decisions must be backed by 90% of shareholders, so the higher
stake would effectively give Askelpios a blocking minority.
-Fresenius SE (FRE.XE) failed in an attempt to take over
Rhoen-Klinikum last year, and at the time rival Askelpios expressed
concern about the combined strength of Rhoen-Klinikum and Helios, a
unit of Fresenius.
-Frankfurt Bureau, Dow Jones Newswires; 49-69-29725-500
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