UK housing market downturn eases but sentiment remains ‘fragile’, surveyors say – business live

Brent crude dips slightly below $78 a barrel; most Asian stock markets bounce backAlso on the healthcare front, shares in the UK’s biggest private hospital operator Spire Healthcare rose after a takeover deadline was extended.In May, the Spire board backed a buyout proposal worth £1bn from its second biggest shareholder, a hedge fund manager known as “the Rottweiler”, sending its shares soaring by nearly 50%.and that it continues to work towards the announcement of a 250 pence per Spire Healthcare share recommended offer.Toscafund has also updated the board on the progress that it has been making on other aspects of the cash offer. Given the progress being made on due diligence and transaction documentation, Toscafund requested that the board grants a further extension to enable it to finalise its financing arrangements, which are also well advanced and include seeking a private credit rating. Continue reading...