$4.1b bid for Healthscope

A GROUP of private investors led by industry superannuation heavyweight AustralianSuper has launched a $4.1 billion takeover bid for hospital owner Healthscope.

If the deal goes ahead, it will be the second time Healthscope has been delisted and taken in to private hands.

Its shares surged 14.8 per cent yesterday to $2.33 — just shy of the $2.36 offer price — after the bid was announced.