The new takeover battle
May 23, 2008
This year's upsurge in corporate mergers has sparked conflicts between company boards, who want the final say, and shareholders claiming they are being shut out of decisions with billions of dollars at stake. Colin Kruger reports
EU widens antitrust probe into BHP Billiton's proposed acquisition of Rio Tinto
The European Commission on Friday widened its antitrust probe into the proposed acquisition of Rio Tinto Inc. by BHP Billiton Ltd., saying an initial investigation revealed concerns about higher prices and reduced choice for EU customers of the mining concerns.
Red Wings reward Babcock for winning Stanley Cup (AP)
AP - Mike Babcock's new contract allows the oldest of his three children to graduate from the same high school she's attending. And if all goes well with the Detroit Red Wings over the next three years, Babcock's younger two kids likely will get the same opportunity.
Woolworths still eyeing The Warehouse
Cashed-up retailer Woolworths is still likely to make a tilt at the New Zealand general merchandise retailer The Warehouse, an investment house says.
Babcock plunges further
Babcock & Brown, Australia's second-largest investment bank, plunged further, falling almost a third in early trading.
Wesfarmers shares up with rising success
Wesfarmers shares rose 1.8 per cent Monday after the company finalised part of a $2.5 billion equity raising and opened it to retail shareholders.
Orica has firepower for acquisitions
Orica is looking for acquisitions to add to its explosives businesses, a day after announcing it will spin off its consumer products division.
07/22/08
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Orica to demerge consumer products
Orica Ltd plans to demerge its consumer products business into a separate company and raise up to $900 million through an entitlement offer.
ASX buoyed by earnings results
The Australian share market closed firmly in the black as solid earnings results from Telstra, Qantas, Fairfax and other major companies.
02/21/08
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Santos dodges takeover talk
Santos says it is in the early stages of considering "various strategic initiative", in response to a query from the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
Australian merchant bank Babcock and Brown faces lenders
Babcock & Brown Ltd., Australia's second-largest merchant bank that last week lost half its market value, is accelerating an examination of its listed funds as it faces its bankers over a potential review of its 2.8 billion Australian dollars (US$2.7 billion) corporate debt facility.
CSL to acquire Talecris for $3.4b
Blood products and vaccine firm CSL will acquire Talecris Biotherapeutics Holdings for $3.48 billion to boost its presence in the plasma therapeutics market.
08/13/08
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Woolworths on track for FY sales growth
Higher food prices and growing market share have helped Australia's biggest retailer, Woolworths, to deliver better-than-expected third quarter sales.
Orica set for demerger
THE chemicals maker Orica last night revealed plans to raise $900 million and demerge its paint division as it focuses on expanding its booming mining services business.
07/21/08
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Babcock & Brown 'set to meet guidance'
Investment group Babcock & Brown says it is on track to meet its full year earnings target.
Westpac offer 'in the ball park'
Most analysts say Westpac's offer of $33.10 for each St George share is fair, but some are still hoping for more.
Australia's Westpac offers $14B for...
Westpac Banking Corp. said Monday it has approached rival St. George Bank Ltd. with a $14 billion takeover offer that could lead to the biggest shakeup of Australia's banking...
Fairfax moves to unwind margin loan
THE Fairfax Media director John B. Fairfax has unwound a margin loan over 159 million of the publisher's shares, which was believed to have prompted short-sellers to target the stock over recent weeks.
Woolworths fined for breaking FSA rules
Woolworths has been fined £350,000 by the Financial Services Authority for taking too long to disclose that its profits would be lower than expected.
Lend Lease cashed up for acquisitions
Property developer Lend Lease is looking for acquisitions, hoping to take advantage of the fallout in property markets driven by financial market volatility.
02/28/08
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Review: iASUS Concepts Mobile Amp
Like some other such devices, including Upbeat Audio’s Boosteroo Revolution, the pitch here is that you plug this in to the headphone port of your iPod, then turn your iPod...
Wesfarmers H1 profit up to new record
Wesfarmers' $20 billion acquisition of Coles Group has helped fill its coffers with a record interim profit.
Embattled Babcock & Brown Makes Big...
In the midst of an investor crisis of confidence in the Australian investment firm, it leads consortium to purchase Angel Trains, a U.K. railcar leasing firm, from RBS.
Australian investment firm Babcock &...
Investment firm Babcock & Brown Ltd. faces a potential review by lenders after its shares fell 28 percent Thursday, making it the latest Australian company to grapple with...
Australian investment firm Babcock &...
Babcock & Brown Ltd.'s shares fell as much as 32 percent Friday on concerns about its debt position, despite Australia's second largest investment bank clinching a US$7 billion...