December 2024
‘Dad has never done a deal like this’: Ben Weiss’ wartime buyout
The son of famed corporate raider Gary Weiss has just pulled off a deal to take an AI company private in Tel Aviv. It nearly didn’t happen.
November 2024
Meet corporate Australia’s top bulldust detector
With nearly five decades of experience in the markets, Gary Weiss has seen it all. Here’s how he spots corporate BS, and his No. 1 rule as a director.
February 2024
Cromwell pins hopes on $500m Polish malls sale to curb debt worries
The Brisbane property fund manager’s gearing level is close to 45 per cent, well past its target range, as devaluations hit its balance sheet.
October 2023
Bedrooms become bomb shelters as VCs do deals amid destruction
With colleagues on the frontline and international deals on the line, Israel-based VCs such as Ben Weiss are leading double lives.
July 2023
Gary Weiss, original asset stripper, defends Ardent
It’s said imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Not that vintage corporate raider Gary Weiss is in any way pleased.
Ardent Leisure accused of being in ‘dream world’ by activist investor
K Capital’s David Kingston wants to roll out the same playbook that saw Village Roadshow go private, and has appealed to Ardent Leisure shareholders.
April 2022
Ardent’s $1.1b US cash bonanza
The sale of Ardent Leisure’s US business, Main Event, for $1.1 billion follows a well executed turnaround strategy.
August 2021
Ardent Leisure faces two worlds of COVID-19 control
The ASX-listed company’s US and Australian entertainment businesses reflect different attitudes to managing the pandemic.
The 70-year battle that changed Australian retailing
The fight for supremacy between Woolworths and Coles has been closely charted by The Australian Financial Review for many decades.
Lew’s secret plan for Coles to ‘rescue’ Woolworths revealed
A scheme hatched by Solomon Lew almost 30 years ago would have changed the competitive dynamic between Australia’s two largest food retailers.
November 2020
Cromwell board torpedoed in AGM bloodbath
The Brisbane fund manager has been at odds with its major shareholder for close to two years, accusing it of pursuing a 'takeover by stealth'.
Virtual AGM savings vastly overstated: Ownership Matters
And anyway, the proxy advisory states, directors don't pinch pennies when spending shareholder money to go to Flemington, the Australian Open or Lord's.
October 2020
Once again, investors' rights are being gnawed at
The proposal to make temporary rules allowing virtual annual general meetings permanent will hamper transparency and accountability.
Geoff Wilson to lead investor army against virtual AGMs
The fund manager has labelled virtual AGMs “undemocratic and grossly unfair to millions of Australian retail investors”. He said the plan will shift the balance of power away from retail investors.
September 2020
Weiss, Gersh win seats at Cromwell's table
While the battle for the boardroom ended on Friday, it's not yet clear if the war is over.
ARA's move on Cromwell disingenous: CGI Glass Lewis
Singaporean investor has failed to provide alternate strategy for Cromwell, despite heavy criticism and bid to win board seats, according to a proxy adviser.
Weiss and Gersh pitch for Cromwell posts
ARA Asset Management is launching a third effort to regain representation on the board after more than a year of acrimony between Cromwell and its largest shareholder.
August 2020
Cromwell to ARA: keep your own house in order
Cromwell says its results vindicate its corporate strategy, which has been subjected to sharp criticism from ARA as a rift opened between the two fund managers over the past 18 months.
ARA creeps up to 27pc of Cromwell
The activist shareholder has pushed its long-running battle for board representation forward after on-market share buys.
ARA adds $32m sweetener to win over Cromwell's loyal fans
A long-running battle enters a new stage as ARA tries to build its stake to nearly 27 per cent through on-market purchases.