Latest
Forget auctions, bilateral deals are all the rage in PE land: Freehills
New analysis from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer shows 78 per cent of private equity M&A deals in 2024 were done bilaterally.
‘How long do I have to be the story for?’: Higgins returns to work
After four years in the public spotlight, Brittany Higgins is returning to work, saying advocacy remains a “passion...but is not a self-sustaining career”.
Rest Super staff surveys suggest risk problems, poor staff morale
Nearly half the $93 billion superannuation fund’s investment governance team was considering quitting within two years, confidential data shows.
Pharmacy chain ‘underdog’ takes the fight to Chemist Warehouse
Peter Piliouras helped the billionaire Shahin family build On The Run, sold to Viva for $1.15b. He is now driving pharmacy expansion at Star Discount Chemist.
Kevin Gallagher avoids insider trading trial with settlement
Santos boss Kevin Gallagher will no longer be required to testify in the insider trading lawsuit brought by the liquidators of collapsed contractor Forge Group.
Japan’s Mixi hikes PointsBet takeover bid, valuing bookmaker at $402m
The entertainment giant’s hopes of acquiring the ASX-listed group had been complicated by a rival proposal from Matthew Tripp’s Betr, which holds 20 per cent.
Opinion & Analysis
Making money from AI is more than new ideas and Nvidia
Hot stocks and spruikers are just a small part of the much wider artificial intelligence story.
Columnist
This is what the Soul Patts deal is really about
There’s plenty of history in Soul Patts’ merger with Brickworks, but at the heart of the deal is a $2 billion prize that completes Soul Patts’ portfolio.
Columnist
Soul Patts’ $14b tie-up calls time on a 56-year-old good idea
What was a good idea in 1969 now looks unnecessary and outdated. It’s time to pull Soul Patts and Brickworks together.
Columnist
Anxious wait for ASIC’s private markets, IPO shake-up
The regulator should clarify its policy positions this year, rather than letting the talkfest drag on. Some clues should emerge this week.
Associate editor
Featured
Big super mergers create havoc for fundies as mandates get yanked
It’s clear the days of investment managers raking in easy money ended long ago. And some of the best-known firms are getting hit hardest as demand dries up.
How a Sydney billionaire became the pokies king of Alice Springs
Sam Arnaout has built a $3.1 billion pub and pokie fortune by flying below the radar. For some, however, it is coming at a high cost.
Inside the plot to ‘get rid’ of Peter V’landys
In his climb to the top of racing and rugby league, Peter V’landys has broken the rules and challenged the system. But now some in the system are fighting back.
Yesterday
Making money from AI is more than new ideas and Nvidia
Hot stocks and spruikers are just a small part of the much wider artificial intelligence story.
Albanese praises Western Australia’s gas reservation policy
The Albanese government will conduct a review energy policy including whether a portion of gas produced on the east coast should be reserved to avoid energy shortages.
Kelly Partners CEO and Buffett aficionado bypasses ASX with Twitter
Brett Kelly has drawn inspiration from Warren Buffett’s habit of writing open letters to shareholders.
Morgans handles $62m block in McMillan Shakespeare; Eagers sells down
The trade was done at a 2.2 per cent discount to the share price, with 4 million shares changing hands.
Can the Murray cod finally hook Australia an aquaculture giant?
It’s a fish that can be found on the menu of white tablecloth diners. But shrinking supply of premium species is a big opportunity for this ASX-listed company.
Land lease giant GemLife green-lights $2b ASX listing; bookbuild next week
GemLife is hoping to have the bookbuild wrapped up by next weekend, sneaking in its ASX debut before June 30.
IDP Education’s 48pc free fall is about much more than horror earnings
It’s not often you see a share price halve on an earnings downgrade. Here’s what’s happening at the student testing group.
CoStar considers Domain rebrand after buying Homes.com.au
The American real estate giant’s chief executive, Andy Florance, says the purchase of the domain name will give him “optionality” in the future.
Wesfarmers switches Kmart boss John Gualtieri into Officeworks role
After more than six years in the top job at Officeworks, Sarah Hunter will be succeeded by Gualtieri, who has worked at Wesfarmers since 2008.
Wine market woes inflict more pain at Treasury, Vinarchy
Australia’s two largest wine groups are being forced to make some tough decisions to counter a global decline in consumption.
McKinsey leans on AI to do junior workers’ tasks
The firm is increasingly drafting proposals and making slides using artificial intelligence, as the new technology reshapes how consultancies operate.
Infrastructure investor UTA draws in private wealth clients
A $200 million slice of Utilities Trust of Australia has given mum and dad investors exposure to some of the country’s most prized infrastructure assets.
BBC-owned Britbox renews big bet on the British niche viewer
Britbox is relaunching after five years in Australia after the BBC took full ownership of the British content platform.
Inside Perth’s booming broker scene (just don’t call them cowboys)
Making money in the mining capital differs from over east, with relationships forged on Rottnest Island’s white sand and deals discussed on crayfishing boats.
Telstra beats Optus, TPG in launching satellite text messaging
The telecommunications group says its customers can now send texts in areas that have no mobile reception.
Former Fortescue executive Fiona Hick to join Barrenjoey board
Despite early scepticism, the Barclays-backed investment bank has recut the local market, winning key mandates and building one of the largest research teams.
This Month
Admin mess led to AusSuper’s alleged fees-for-no-service failure
AustralianSuper is refunding around $4.2 million to the relatives of affected members over the problems.
This is what the Soul Patts deal is really about
There’s plenty of history in Soul Patts’ merger with Brickworks, but at the heart of the deal is a $2 billion prize that completes Soul Patts’ portfolio.
Federal Court faces audit prospect over legal expenses
The court is again dealing with criticism it is failing to properly disclose spending.