Shares in Bodycote fall after the company says US private equity firm Apollo has withdrawn its interest in a proposed takeover. Bodycote, a Macclesfield-based firm, previously said it received a conditional all-cash takeover approach from Apollo valued at 885 pence per share, reported at the end of last month. Following this announcement, outlets report the bid interest is no longer being pursued. The company’s update indicates the approach was subject to conditions, and Apollo’s decision to stop considering the offer changes the status of the potential transaction. While details of any conditions or timing of the withdrawal are not provided in the available excerpts, the reports are consistent that the earlier proposal involved an all-cash offer and specific per-share consideration. The share price reaction reflects investor response to the end of Apollo’s interest, and the reports leave open whether Bodycote will pursue other discussions or receive new proposals.