Australian Shares Flat; FleetPartners Group Receives Three Revised Acquisition Proposals
Australian shares were flat on Monday, as spiking oil prices stoked inflation fears.The S&P/ASX 200 Index was little changed to close at 8,749.90.Brent crude oil futures rose again to trade over $107 per barrel, amid fresh strikes on Saudi Arabia and on ships in the Persian Gulf, which came after a key Saudi oil pipeline was attacked.On the domestic front, Australia's consumer price index (CPI) is expected to rise 0.4% in August from the previous month, which would increase the annual pace of inflation to 4% from 3.5% in July, Westpac said.In company news, FleetPartners Group (ASX:FPR) said it received three revised acquisition proposals, including a AU$4.55 per share offer from SG Fleet Topco, AU$4.65 per share from Orix, and AU$4.65 per share from the Sumitomo consortium.HealthCo Healthcare and Wellness REIT (ASX:HCW) said the requisite support has been obtained from Healthscope's lenders for the transfer of 10 Healthscope hospitals owned by the company and the Unlisted Healthcare Fund to alternative hospital operators.Lastly, Cleanaway Waste Management (ASX:CWY) said EQT Infrastructure remains committed to pursuing its proposed acquisition of 100% of the company's shares at no less than the indicative offer price following its due diligence review.