Primary Health Care Ltd's shareholding in health-care group Symbion Health Ltd has climbed to 17.78 per cent.
The medical centres operator and pathology provider previously held a 16.18 per cent stake in Symbion.
Primary has been slowly building its stake in Symbion but has declined to reveal its motives.
Symbion is subject to a $2.86 billion takeover offer from hospitals operator Healthscope Ltd, which the Symbion board has backed short of a superior offer.
Last week, Healthscope managing director Bruce Dixon said Healthscope was on track to take over Symbion despite Primary's stake in the target.
Symbion chief executive Robert Cooke has repeatedly said over the past week that Healthscope's offer was compelling and that any move just to block the takeover deal would not be in the best interests of Symbion shareholders.
Symbion shares ended five cents higher at $3.99.
Healthscope shed three cents to $5.45, and Primary lost 11 cents to $11.79.
AAP
SYB
symbion health limited
