Deals

BGD Corporation is the latest Perth-based company to initiate a backdoor listing, announcing today that it intends to establish a primary healthcare business by purchasing assets held by Modern Medical.

Telstra has entered into an agreement to acquire the technology subsidiary of not-for-profit health and community care organisation Silver Chain Group for an undisclosed sum.

Macquarie Group is forking out $8.2 billion for a major car leasing and finance business from ANZ, and seeking financial support from shareholders to fund the deal.

Shares in local rare earths explorer Plymouth Minerals closed 75 per cent higher on news it had entered into an agreement to acquire two African potash projects for an all-scrip deal worth up to $2.75 million.

South Africa’s Sibanye Gold is poised to acquire Aquarius Platinum, which has been struggling for several years to deal with weak commodity prices.

IT services provider UXC has received a $428.5 million takeover offer from New York-based tech giant CSC.

Quick-service noodle restaurant franchiser Noodle Box looks set to gain a much greater presence in Western Australia after reaching an agreement to acquire competitor Wok in a Box.

Credit information provider Veda has backed a US takeover after the price tag was bumped up to $2.5 billion.

Local software and technology development company Investia Technologies is seeking an ASX listing through a reverse takeover of Advanced Engine Components.

A historic Pacific free trade deal will transform Australia and usher a new era of economic growth, the federal government predicts.

Minerals Corporation has appointed CPS Capital Group as lead manager for a $7 million capital raising, as the company works through delays in its acquisition of online music competition business Megastar Millionaire.

A series of major trade sales and the prospect of one of WA’s biggest-ever IPOs were highlights in what remained subdued capital markets in the September quarter. Also in our special report, how a surge in backdoor listings is attracting Silicon Valley entrepreneurs.

Accounting, consulting and insurance broking firm Carbon Business Group is continuing its expansion with the acquisition of Swan Valley Tax Accountants and Paperchase Bookkeeping’s Midland division for a combined $1.28 million.

Perth-based ATM machine operator Stargroup expects to return to the black after acquiring 109 ATMs from Cash Plus Australia for $6.5 million in cash and shares.

Fiona Wood-founded Avita Medical has received a $US16.9 million ($A24.1 million) commitment from a US government agency to fund a trial of its ReCell device.

A local exploration company led by Perth Glory owner Tony Sage is looking to join the wave of backdoor listings and become a gambling platforms provider, while technology company Velpic’s reverse takeover of International Coal has reached another milestone.

Local IT company Empired has won a $12 million contract to provide managed services to Western Power under an initial three-year term.

TPG Telecom's 320,000 mobile users will be moved onto the Vodafone Australia network, which will be upgraded by TPG as part of a $1 billion link-up between the companies.

Rio Tinto has struck a $865 million deal to sell its 40 per cent stake in the Bengalla open cut coal mine in NSW to New Hope Corporation.

Phoenix Gold shareholders will be hoping for an improved takeover offer from Evolution Mining, after a proposal to acquire the business was knocked back by Phoenix directors today.

Programmed Maintenance Services’ $424 million takeover of its larger competitor Skilled Group is a step closer to fruition, after Skilled shareholders voted in favour of the scheme of arrangement today.

Flinders Mines stakeholders have voted against selling the Pilbara iron ore project to private New Zealand company Todd Corporation for $65 million.

Junior explorers Azure Minerals and Metals of Africa have tapped investors to raise a combined $4.5 million to bolster their respective projects.

Quadrant Energy will pay $10 million to withdraw from a joint venture with Buru Energy and Mitsubishi Corporation, which together own oil and gas exploration permits in the Canning Basin.

A Bentley biotech company led by Graham Melrose is planning a $5 million initial public offering, after six years of research on the development of synthetic antibiotics.

Local explorers Encounter Resources, Horseshoe Metals and RNI have announced plans to raise a combined $9.8 million to fund ongoing work at their respective projects.

Perth-based Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has been hired to finish off work at Yara International’s $US800 million Burrup ammonium nitrate project in the Pilbara, after Downer walked off the job last week.

IT firm ASG Group has built on its relationship with the federal government with the renewal of a new contract with the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development worth $23.8 million.

Real estate companies Stocker Preston and Peard Real Estate Group have entered into an informal joint venture agreement to integrate their marketing, training and administration systems.

Private equity groups are on track to gain control of two mining operations, after Aditya Birla Minerals sold its mothballed Mt Gordon operation, while Atherton Resources looks set to be acquired in a takeover valued at about $56 million.

Cardinal Resources has received firm commitments for a $5 million capital raising to fund ongoing work at its Namdini gold project in Ghana.

One week after a big spike in its share price, Northern Mining has finalised plans to buy a major stake in a China-based gold exploration firm for a cash and share package worth $7.25 million.