The competition regulator’s opposition to the proposed $15 billion merger of telecommunications companies Vodafone and TPG was based on “mere possibilities” and was “chock full of speculation”, the Federal Court heard Tuesday.
A judge has consolidated two concurrent cases against the former directors and auditors of collapsed construction company Forge Group, after warning the overlapping actions needed to be carefully managed to avoid it becoming an āunrideable bullā.
The competition regulator is opposing a deal to combine two of Australia’s largest manufacturers of chilled ready meals, and fired a warning shot to companies and administrators who fail to ensure the watchdog is notified of deals with close competitiors.
Insurance company Watchstone Group, which is facing a lawsuit by Slater & Gordon UK over a botched acquisition that brought the law firm to its knees, has secured approval to file a counterclaim alleging auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers engaged in “secret meetings” with the firm’s corporate finance adviser to gain leverage leading up to the deal.
A judge has sent insolvency firm Ferrier Hodgson back to the drawing board to redraft its pleadings against the former directors and auditors of collapsed construction company Forge Group, warning that the overlapping actions were at risk of becoming an āunrideable bullā.
US cold storage giant Emergent Cold’s proposed takeover of rival Australian company AB Oxford faces scrutiny by the competition regulator, which has raised preliminary concerns that the deal would hike up prices and bring down service.
The competition regulator has raised concerns about Bis Industriesā proposed acquisition of Cougar Mining Group, saying the threat of new competitors appeared unlikely to significantly constrain the combined company.
The former partner of Westpac-backed venture capital firm Reinventure Group has been ordered to appoint an independent valuer to clarify the claimed loss against her former employer before the parties enter mediation.
The competition regulator has cleared the way for Australian retail giant Wesfarmers to acquire online retailer Catch Group for $230 million, after finding the acquisition would be unlikely to impact competition in online marketplaces.
Shareholders of Xenith IP have voted to approve a hard-fought takeover proposal by Australia’s largest intellectual property services firm IPH, in a deal that will create an IP services giant employing a staff of over 1,000 across the Asia Pacific.