August
Competition regulator delays $8.8b Chemist Warehouse deal approval
The ACCC is undertaking more analysis of the transaction, which would merge the pharmacy giant into Sigma Healthcare. A decision won’t be made until October.
- Michael Smith
- Exclusive
- Start-ups
‘Harder and harder’: Why Canva’s $370m AI bet said yes
AI dollars can be “fleeting” and competing with big players can cost hundreds of millions, setting the scene for Leonardo’s sale to Canva.
- Nick Bonyhady
July
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Woodside’s big bet on US LNG will collide with Trump’s second coming
Just days after Donald Trump declared he wants to “drill, baby, drill”, Woodside has placed $22 billion on an unloved US project. It isn’t without risks.
- James Thomson
June
ANZ boss says Suncorp ‘migration’ can avoid Westpac’s St George pain
Shayne Elliott insists he’s learnt from Westpac’s failure to integrate St George, while Suncorp’s Steve Johnston says he can now focus fully on insurance.
- James Eyers, Liam Walsh and Tom Richardson
May
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Inside BHP’s failed tilt for Anglo – and what comes next
The post-mortems are under way, but two things are already clear: the tight time frame was never going to be enough, and BHP’s inability to win over Anglo shareholders eventually killed the deal.
- Updated
- James Thomson
March
Charter Hall swallows 15pc of pubs owner HPI
The property fund manager is already the country’s biggest pubs owner after taking charge of former ASX-listed landlord ALE Group in a $1.7 billion deal three years ago.
- Nick Lenaghan
February
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
CSR’s patient rebuild leads to a French revolution
Julie Coates restructured the company’s operations and rebuilt its supply chain. The lift in margins those moves created helped seal a big takeover deal.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
How Macquarie helped ANZ win Suncorp
After more than 18 months, ANZ finally has its prize and can buy Suncorp’s banking division. Sorting out the winners and losers isn’t as clear-cut as it seems.
- James Thomson
November 2023
Van Eck backs in-doubt Origin takeover ahead of crucial vote
Despite intense lobbying from the energy giant, its suitors and their advisers, the market expects the $20 billion bid from EIG and Brookfield will not gain enough support.
- Ben Potter
Indonesian buyer hunts Incitec Pivot fertiliser bargain
The interim CEO of Incitec Pivot says a downturn in the fertiliser business does not mean it is the wrong time to sell it.
- Simon Evans
October 2023
Decision time for $240b IFM, ISPT mega-merger
A tie-up between the two powerful industry funds’ investment platforms has been mooted in the past, but this time around the proposal has proceeded to an offer.
- Nick Lenaghan
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Whitehaven’s $6b coal deal is about taking risk off the table
A deal to buy two Queensland mines from BHP is a potential game changer for the coal-mining company.
- Updated
- James Thomson
September 2023
Regal withdraws Pacific Current takeover bid
Regal has walked away from its bid for boutique asset management house Pacific Current citing frustration with the process, sending Pacific Current shares down 10 per cent.
- Jonathan Shapiro
Azure Capital anoints new partner
Natixis-backed corporate advisory firm Azure Capital has inducted a new name to its partnership ranks.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
August 2023
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Suncorp’s soft dividend backs up its case for ANZ deal
The Queensland company is sensitive to complaints about surging premiums. But its lower dividend payout ratio shows why it wants to get out of banking and focus on insurance.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
ACCC’s call on ANZ-Suncorp matters most for minnows
The competition watchdog’s probe of ANZ’s Suncorp takeover has underscored the challenges facing smaller banks in a market where scale matters more than ever.
- James Thomson
July 2023
Australian Vintage mandates E&P for strategic review
The ASX-listed company behind Tempus Two and McGuigan is understood to have called in the corporate advisory firm to consider ways to unlock value for shareholders.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
June 2023
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
‘What ifs’ could decide ACCC call on ANZ-Suncorp deal
A new independent expert’s report could give the ACCC fresh ammunition to block the Suncorp-ANZ deal. But it could also launch a lawyers’ picnic.
- James Thomson
March 2023
- Analysis
- Due diligence
Perpetual: from charm offensive to cost-cutting crusade
Perpetual CEO Rob Adams must cut costs, reduce debt, and hope global markets work with him if the Pendal deal is to create shareholder value.
- Jonathan Shapiro
February 2023
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Brookfield, Blackstone, KKR and the $658b question
The big dogs of private equity are feeling a little heat after a period of staggering growth. That’s no bad thing.
- James Thomson