This Month
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.
Billionaire swoops on $1b MCoBeauty cosmetics empire
Shelley Sullivan’s cosmetics and skincare brand has stirred controversy, but she’s having the last laugh with a deal said to be worth $500 million.
Alex Waislitz’s Thorney swoops on failed Seek target Xref
The billionaire businessman voted against a $41 million takeover of the employment software group, despite the deal being recommended by the board.
January
After banking $4b in 2024, dealmakers expect a bumper year
Some of the country’s top dealmakers say a more certain outlook will finally dislodge transactions that have been stuck, paving the way for higher fees.
ASX rises; 2025’s M&A wave starts; Why men get belly fat
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
December 2024
The top AFR Magazine reads of 2024
From what Rich Listers teach their kids to why Saudi Arabia is luring so many Australians, here’s a collection of some of our best-read features this year.
Japan’s car industry consolidates: Honda and Nissan reveal merger plan
The Japanese car giants will merge to create the world’s third-largest automotive group by 2026, as the two companies struggle to keep up with global competitors.
Insignia rejects Bain’s billions as lacking ‘fair value’
Major shareholder Tanarra Capital described the private equity firm’s offer as “highly opportunistic” as Insignia shares tumbled.
Labor lifts M&A fees and bolsters phoenixing crackdown
Jim Chalmers’ mid-year budget update has increased fees for company takeovers and provided funding to boost penalties for dodgy behaviour.