ASX 200 ends flat on Friday

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX:XJO) ended flat today. A highlight was the news of a partnership between Mesoblast Limited (ASX:MSB) and Novartis.

a woman

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finished flat today at 6,539 points.

Here are some of the highlights from the ASX:

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL) bids for Regis Healthcare Ltd (ASX: REG)

Soul Patts has made a takeover bid for Regis Healthcare, but that was promptly rejected.

The investment conglomerate made a bid, with its partner Ashburn Pty Ltd (controlled by Regis co-founder Mr Bryan Dorman), of $1.85 per share. That bid represented a 25% premium to the closing share price from yesterday.

Ashburn controls 27.2% of Regis' ordinary shares on issue.

Soul Patts expected that the proposal would be attractive to Regis shareholders.

The Chair of Soul Patts, Rob Millner, said: "WHSP is a patient and long-term investor and is committed to providing access to capital and support to Regis as it navigates through this challenging period and transitions to a new operating environment in the future.

"Given the regulatory uncertainty and funding challenges currently facing the aged care industry, WHSP believes that Regis' long-term prospects will be best served in a privately owned setting and that WHSP's long investment horizons and access to capital make it and Ashburn Pty Ltd logical partners to oversee Regis' growth and development."

The Regis board rejected the bid from the ASX 200 investment conglomerate because it "materially undervalued the company having regard to its medium to long term prospects."

Regis is also expecting that the government will commit more funding to the aged care sector in the May 2021 budget. The board also pointed to the easing impacts of COVID-19.

The Regis share price rose over 23% today. The Soul Patts share price fell around 4%, however the company did also go ex-dividend today.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

Today, CBA acknowledged the outcome of APRA's review of the progress made against its remedial action plan.

APRA's validation review found that CBA has made significant progress in implementing the remedial action plan. As a result, the operational risk overlay imposed on CBA is reduced from $1 billion to $500 million with immediate effect. This reduction represents an increase in the CET1 capital ratio of 17 basis points for the ASX 200 bank.

The CBA CEO said that there is still a substantial amount of work to do.

The CBA share price finished up around 1.4%.

Mesoblast Limited (ASX: MSB)

The Mesoblast share price jumped 11% after announcing a partnership with Novartis for the development, manufacture and commercialisation of remestemcel-L. The initial focus will be developing a treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), including that associated with COVID-19.

Novartis will make a $50 million upfront payment including US$25 million in equity. Mesoblast may receive a total of US$505 million pending the achievement of pre-commercialisation milestones for ARDS indicators. Mesoblast may receive additional payments post-commercialisation of up to US$750 million based on achieving certain sales milestones and tiered double digit royalties on product sales.

The ASX 200 company will retain full rights and economics for remestemcel-L for graft versus host disease, and Novartis has the option to, if exercised, become the commercial distributor outside of Japan.

Mesoblast CEO Dr Silviu Itescu said: "Our collaboration with Novartis will help ensure that remestemcel-L could become available to the many patients suffering from ARDS, the principal cause of mortality in COVID-19 infection. This agreement is in line with our corporate strategy to collaborate and partner with world-leading major pharma companies in order to maximise market access for our innovative cellular medicines."

Kogan.com Ltd (ASX: KGN)

The Kogan.com share price fell more than 4% today after giving a trading update at its annual general meeting (AGM).

Kogan.com said that in the year to date for FY21 to October 2020, gross sales went up 99.8%, gross profit increased 131.7% and adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) jumped 268.8%.

The company said that in the year to date, it has seen a strong performance from its product divisions and Kogan Marketplace. The company pointed out that November and December are typically the most important months of the year for the business.

It has been investing in its marketing to grow its customer base and brand, which it expects will have long-term benefits for the company.

Tristan Harrison owns shares of Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Kogan.com ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Kogan.com ltd. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Share Market News

Woman in celebratory fist move looking at phone
Broker Notes

Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week

Brokers gave buy ratings to these ASX shares last week. Why are they bullish?

Read more »

A female financial services professional with a manicured black afro hairstyle turns an ipad screen to show a client across the table a set of ASX shares figures in graph format.
Share Market News

Record CBA share price and blockbuster merger push ASX 200 financials sector to the top

ASX financial stocks led the 11 market sectors last week with a 1.95% gain.

Read more »

A graphic showing a businessman running up a white upwards rising arrow symbolising the soaring Magellan share price today
Share Market News

CBA Shares in focus: How Australia's most valuable company is using AI to compete

Could AI initiatives drive CBA shares higher?

Read more »

Man jumps for joy in front of a background of a rising stocks graphic.
Broker Notes

These ASX 200 shares could rise 20% to 50%

Looking for big returns? Brokers think these shares could do the job.

Read more »

asx share price represented by cartoon letters spelling the word FOMO
Share Market News

What did Macquarie's "FOMO Meter" reveal about the stock market in May?

Is the market getting frothy or is there still room to climb?

Read more »

Market up or down
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

ASX investors had a rough end to the week...

Read more »

Man in an office celebrates at he crosses a finish line before his colleagues.
Share Gainers

4 ASX 200 shares racing ahead of the benchmark this week

ASX investors sent these four stocks soaring 12% to 18% this week. But why?

Read more »

A young man sits at his desk working on his laptop with a big smile on his face.
Broker Notes

Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

Here's why brokers are feeling bullish about these three shares this week.

Read more »