This Month
Australian defence start-ups target Europe as it rearms
Military technology firms are profiting from geopolitical instability, with Canberra-based Penten among those hoping to win contracts in the European market.
The billionaire, his $80b gorilla mate and Storage King’s clean-up job
An offshore giant is trying to use structural issues at the No.2 self-storage player to get set in Australia. The local leader is pushing back. Who will win?
April
Fonterra’s $4b Mainland spin-off leaves Bega with a sour taste
The New Zealand farmers co-operative has high hopes for its consumer business auction. But a legal stoush has made it hard for an obvious suitor.
This $US1b-plus cash bid is a real test of valuations in jumpy markets
Who would have thought Australia would be home to the only $US1 billion-plus cash M&A deal globally since ‘liberation day’?
March
Pemba Capital-backed Rennie Advisory hits the acquisition trail
People briefed on the deliberations described the pool of money that the firm wanted to spend as in the “tens of millions” over at least two deals this year.
Domain’s board, including Nine CEO, backs $2.8b sale to CoStar
The board on Monday confirmed it had signed a deed allowing the US property giant to begin a period of exclusive due diligence.
James Hardie investors worried $14b Azek deal is overvalued
As the building material business’ stock price dived, chief executive Aaron Erter rejected concerns it had overpaid for outdoor products company AZEK.
Edify Energy seeks buyer for $3b green pipeline; Lazard hired
The arrival of Lazard dealmakers at Edify comes just days after it struck a deal with Rio Tinto that should underpin $2 billion of investment in solar farms and batteries in central Queensland.
South Korea’s Hanwha launches after-market raid on shipbuilder Austal
The conglomerate had walked away from the Perth-headquartered company in September. It was in the market for 9.9 per cent of the company’s shares on Monday.
Record gold price drives $4.2b Ramelius-Spartan merger
The precious metal’s record-breaking march beyond $US3000 an ounce has prompted another deal between two West Australian miners.
Goalposts shifting as Chalmers’ new merger control regime looms
For dealmakers, every decision now feels like a roll of the dice, uncertain and unpredictable, carrying the risk of landing back where they started.
Swiss PE giant swoops on Australian data centre firm with $1.2b buyout
GreenSquare DC has secured a $1.2 billion deal with Swiss private equity giant Partners Group as deep-pocketed investors look for AI exposure.
Why a British vet giant is circling Australia
London-listed pets-and-vets company CVS Group has already spent more than $200 million on buying vet practices Down Under. Here’s why the UK player is so keen.
February
Perpetual targets debt and cost reduction after shunning KKR
The new chief executive says the sale of its wealth management unit is necessary to lower its debt, as he doubles down on cost-cutting plans.
Luminis’ dealmakers confront a new frontier – succession planning
The advisory firm is boosting its partnership ranks, including with a new hire from Goldman Sachs, and has teamed up with a new US outfit.
The ASX really is shrinking but it’s not unprecedented, research finds
As part of its assessment of the growth of private markets, the corporate regulator asked academics for their definitive take on the stock exchange’s vitality.
Perpetual kills off plan to sell trust and wealth unit to KKR
The 139-year-old group had proposed the sale to the private equity giant more than a year ago. It will now try to sell the wealth management unit separately.
Honda reports higher profits as it ends merger talks with Nissan
The carmakers finalised their decision to abandon negotiations on a $US58 billion combination.
Foxconn confirms eyeing stake in Nissan
The Taiwanese iPhone maker says it would consider a deal only as part of co-operation on electric vehicles.
IFM faces barrage of bad press as it moves on Spanish energy utility
The asset manager backed by Australia’s biggest superannuation funds wants more of a say on Naturgy’s board, upsetting some of the company’s other investors.