Deals and IPOs

Ventas buys private hospital chain for $1.75 bln

Ventas said it would buy privately held hospital chain Ardent Medical Services for $1.75 billion in cash.

The deal will give Ventas 10 hospitals operated by Ardent with about 2,045 beds, the company said.

Ventas, a health care real estate investment trust, also said it would spin off its portfolio of skilled nursing facilities.