take over speculation, page-10

Smartcompany http://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/20100702-media-monitors-sold-among-swarm-of-private-equity-deals.html

In other private equity news, a number of companies including HgCapital, Duke Street Capital and General Atlantic are reported eyeing iSOFT, while some American funds are also possible buyers. Oceania Capital Partners, which holds a 26% share in iSOFT, has been named as a possibility.

The software provider, which focuses on the British health-care sector, hasn't performed well this year. Its shares dropped 30% in a single day a month ago after it announced another profit downgrade. While the company itself has blamed a volatile British political environment, some analysts have blamed the firm's management style.

It is understood various private equity firms are focusing on private deals in order to take advantage of a new tax system that allows firms to have certain investments taxed as capital gains, rather than income.