ASX 200 ends flat on Friday

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…