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UK stocks opened lower on Monday as lingering fears about the economic impact of the coronavirus, which has now killed more than 900 people, continued to weigh on global sentiment.
At 0828, the benchmark FTSE 100 index was down 23.27 points, or 0.3%, at 7.443.43.
Hospital owner NMC Health rallied 9.9% to 769.6p as it confirmed media speculation that it had received takeover approaches from Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and GK Investment Holding.
NMC Health described the approaches at 'highly preliminary'.
Consumer goods group UP Global Sourcing, also known as Ultimate Products, dropped 6.5% to 61.26p on warning that it was monitoring the impact of the coronvirus outbreak on its business in China.
Ultimate Products also reported that its first-half revenue had grown by 2.8%.
Office landlord Workspace rose 0.2% to £12.39 after announcing that it had appointed David Benson as its new chief financial officer.
Benson was currently corporate finance director of Premier Inn hotel chain owner Whitbread.
Self-storage company Lok'nStore firmed 1.3% to 729.2p as its like-for-like self-storage revenue rose 7% in the first half, bolstered by improved occupancy levels.
Podcast company Audioboom jumped 21% to 270p on announcing that it was evaluating strategic options to boost value for shareholders, including a potential sale of the company.
Business technology group Watchstone added 4.0% to 154.5p as it revealed plans to return at least £50m to shareholders following the sale of its Canadian assets.
Shanta Gold gained 5.4% to 11.62p, having agreed to acquire gold projects in Kenya from larger rival Barrick Gold for $14.5m in cash and shares, plus an ongoing royalty payment.
Fishing equipment retailer Angling Direct fell 2.1% to 67.05p as chief executive Darren Bailey stood down, with immediate effect.
Andy Torrance, who joined the company in October 2019 as a non-executive director, had been appointed as the company's new CEO.