Deals

Shares in outdoor adventure gear retailer Kathmandu were sharply lower after the Briscoe Group's takeover offer remained unchanged while Kathmandu remained unmoved.

Minbos Resources has ended merger talks with its joint venture partner, Petril Projects, after the two companies were unable to agree on certain terms of the proposal.

Harvey Norman's acquisition of a stake in a dairy farm may be mystifying for some, but not for executive chairman Gerry Harvey.

Myer is looking to a Topshop-led overhaul to end years of weak sales growth in its department stores, and is asking investors for the cash to pay for it.

The last day of the profit reporting season delivered a few surprises for Western Australia-based mining services companies, with NRW Holdings incurring a bigger-than-expected loss, VDM Group shrinking at a rapid rate, Swick Mining Services showing some promise, and Resource Development Group staying in the black.

Nedlands-based investment manager Viburnum has acquired oil and gas diving contractor Cal Dive International Australia, in partnership with Houston company SCF Partners.

Global management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group has taken a minority stake in Perth-based data and analytics company The Simulation Group, aka TSG Consulting.

SPECIAL REPORT: Two years on, the surge in ASX backdoor listings shows little sign of slowing, helping innovative technology businesses in Perth, interstate and overseas to raise capital.

Gold miner Doray Minerals is seeking to double its workforce to support its Deflector project, after announcing it has secured $91.7 million in funds to bring the project into production.

Mining services group Bradken has decided against a merger with Chile's Magotteaux Group, preferring to focus on a restructuring program it says is largely complete.

Diversified contractor SRG has completed its $2.3 million acquisition of Perth-based commercial maintenance and repairs firm CCM Group Australia, which it says will add to its capability in Western Australia.

The Town of Port Hedland council voted last night to privatise the regional airport through a long-term leasing deal with AMP Capital and Infrastructure Capital Group, which will run the regional airport for 50 years.

Struggling online streaming service Quickflix has abandoned plans to buy a Chinese film and TV company just weeks after flagging the deal.

The Town of Port Hedland is poised to complete Western Australia’s biggest privatisation in 15 years, with a consortium led by AMP Capital set to pay $165 million for a 50-year lease over the town’s airport.

The corporate watchdog is considering an update to its disclosure policy for prospectuses, one week after uncertainty over the policy contributed to the collapse of a high-profile backdoor listing deal.

Perth-based mining services company Imdex today announced two capital raisings with a $28 million placement and $7 million share purchase plan.

Willis is set to become one of the largest insurance brokers in Western Australia after buying CKA Risk Solutions, which was established in Perth 11 years ago.

Three fast-growing gold miners have undertaken further expansion moves in Western Australia, with Evolution Mining announcing its intention to make a takeover offer for Phoenix Gold.

The corporate watchdog has warned that a future merger between any two of the remaining fixed broadband suppliers would raise serious concerns, while also giving the go-ahead for TPG Telecom’s $1.6 billion takeover of iiNet.

Balcatta-based drilling services company Imdex has confirmed reports it is seeking to undertake a $35 million capital raising to pay off debt, while also announcing a net loss of $22.5 million for the 2015 financial year.

Shares in VDM Group were up 125 per cent on news it had attracted a new cornerstone investor for an $18 million capital raising, highlighting the company’s planned shift from construction to mining.

Naracoota Resources has announced plans to exit mining and enter the tech sphere through the reverse takeover of a health informatics company backed by Perth technology entrepreneur Nathan Buzza, in a deal worth $12.4 million.

National rail and freight operator Asciano has agreed to a $12 billion takeover by Canada's Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, which is planning to seek a listing on the ASX.

Welshpool-based logistics company Jolly & Sons has sold its John Deere dealerships in Dalwallinu and Wongan Hills to AFGRI Equipment Australia, the Midland-based subsidiary of South African agricultural services company AFGRI.

Perth-based Viburnum Funds looks set to receive roughly $31.4 million for its shares in Australian ophthalmology company Vision Eye Institute after Vision announced an agreed takeover bid by Chinese firm Jangho.

Perth-based precious metals companies Black Mountain Resources and Torian Resources both announced capital raisings today.

A planned backdoor listing by technology company Yatango, which was backed by top-shelf advisers and boasted iiNet founder Michael Malone as one of its directors, has fallen through after being hit by tough market conditions and a run-in with the corporate regulator.

Fitzroy Resources has announced plans to wholly acquire Californian technology company 4D-S, in a backdoor listing valued at about $7.7 million.

Bankwest has announced an 11 per cent rise in cash net profit to $752 million for the year to June 30, while its parent company Commonwealth Bank of Australia unveiled a record $9.15 billion cash profit.

A listed company led by Forge Group founder Peter Hutchinson and former AFL footballer James Clement has announced its second acquisition this year, adding Craig Mostyn Group’s food services division to an earlier seafood deal.

Mongolia-focused miner Tian Poh Resources has announced plans to buy a thermal coal project from Modun Resources for $US2.21 million ($A3 million) and undertake a capital raising to fund the acquisition.

Chinese company Zijin Mining Group has pressed ahead with its unsolicited takeover bid for Phoenix Gold, despite Evolution Mining’s recent on-market acquisitions at a price 20 per cent above that which Zijin is offering.