Asiamoney - Australia Coverage

Australia

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

M&A remains vibrant amid lacklustre markets

30 Aug 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
While signs are slowly emerging that equity and bond markets are beginning to recover from their August issuance lows, M&A activity remains by far the most vibrant area for new deal flow.
Key figures set to debate carbon trading in Asia

25 Aug 2010 Interviews, Commodities, Energy
Singapore is set to host Carbon Forum Asia in October, ahead of global United Nations talks in Mexico. Asiamoney.com asks Henry Derwent, president and CEO of the International Emissions Trading Association, what the expectations are for these events.
World set to see new commodities boom: StanChart

25 Aug 2010 Interviews, Commodities
The UK bank's head of equity research for resources Jeremy Gray believes that the lack of investment into mines across the world will lead to a major boom for copper, iron ore and coking coal prices in the coming years.
UBS adds to Aussie client team in country build-out

24 Aug 2010 Market move, Private banking
The Swiss institution’s private bank arm has hired Anne Flockart and Veronika Dlouha to bolster its client relationship team based in Sydney. UBS says it sees Australia as a growing market for private banking assets.
How Australia’s hung parliament will impact markets

24 Aug 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Bonds, Foreign exchange
The uncertain general election result is likely to lead to short-term weakening of the Australian dollar and widening bond yields, but that will not last. As it becomes clearer which party is set to take power the stocks of different industries stand to be affected.
China-related M&A forecast to stay strong

17 Aug 2010 M&A
A record 99 outbound M&A deals worth US$23.1 billion were announced in the first half of this year, while there was also a rebound in domestic and inbound activity. PwC is expecting further strong growth in 2010 and 2011.
Asia debt default worries downplayed

13 Aug 2010 Bonds
Concerns about rising default levels over the coming three years as a result of a massive amount of maturing corporate debt have been allayed now that economies are growing and investor appetite is on the rise.
Nomura adds five equity analysts in Australia

07 Aug 2010 Broking, Market move
The Japanese bank has moved to further strengthen its impressive regional equity research business by adding five new analysts in Sydney. The appointments reflect the bank’s ambition to become a top-notch broker in Australia.
Transition management tipped to grow in Asia

02 Aug 2010 Cash management, Interviews, Broking
Credit Suisse’s head of transition management in Asia-Pacific, Tom Wyse, says he is expecting a rise in activity over the next six-to-12 months, having recently noted an increasing number of requests for proposals.
UBS names asset management head for Australia, NZ

28 Jul 2010 Asset management, Market move
The bank has appointed Ben Heap as head of UBS Global Asset Management, Australia and New Zealand. He succeeds Paul Bolinowsky, who stepped down to focus on his other role as head of institutional sales for the two countries.
Healthcare buy-outs dominate deal activity

26 Jul 2010 Private equity
Private equity buyouts of healthcare companies in Australia and New Zealand, plus a minority stake in Japan dominated last week’s activity. The pipeline looks vibrant too, although general partners may take a short break in early August, writes mergermarket.
A week in Asia's business news

23 Jul 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Real estate, Nations & economies, Market wrap
Agricultural Bank of China's IPO debut is disappointing, San Miguel aims to sell a large minority stake in its Pure Foods business, while Fortis Healthcare fights Malaysia's Khazanah for healthcare group Parkway of Singapore.
Opinion: Canberra may rue resources tax compromise

19 Jul 2010 Nations & economies, Commodities
New Australian prime minister Julia Gillard cut a deal with leading resources companies over Canberra's proposed resources super profits tax. The compromise makes political sense, but the country may come to regret its necessity.
Opinion: Avoiding Australia’s bank funding crisis-to-be

16 Jul 2010 Editorial, Bonds
The country’s major lenders have well-documented wholesale funding needs that are only projected to grow in the coming years. The banks need to find new investors and cut their lending books, or the entire nation faces a financial crisis.
Australian rules change puts funding squeeze on banks

14 Jul 2010 Bonds
New regulation in the country will force banks to hold less bonds and more liquid assets. It promises to put more funding pressure on lenders that already face major financing requirements, according to Morgan Stanley.
Asian private equity hopes for secondary buyout boom

12 Jul 2010 Private equity
The success of three secondary buyouts in Asia-Pacific’s private equity industry is raising hopes that conditions are returning to normal. But deal sizes are unlikely to return to the massive levels last enjoyed in 2008, writes mergermarket.
Citi hires Goldman’s Osmond in Australia expansion

12 Jul 2010 Investment banking, Market move
The US bank has hired Tony Osmond from Goldman Sachs to be its head of investment banking for Australia and New Zealand from Goldman Sachs. He was formerly head of M&A, natural resources and industrials in Australia.
ABC IPO dominates regional ECM volume

12 Jul 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
Regional equity issuance surges to US$20.4 billion last week, mostly because of the eagerly anticipated IPO of Agricultural Bank of China. Asiamoney.com rounds up last week’s capital markets activity.
BNP Paribas adds institutional relationship managers

02 Jul 2010 Asset management, Market move
The bank has hired Doreen Tan and Chelsea Ong as senior institutional relationship managers to cover south-east Asia and Australia, respectively, as part of a build-out of its regional corporate and investment business.
Time for Australia’s corporate bond market to mature

02 Jul 2010 Bonds
Rising international investor demand for the country’s fixed income products provides corporate borrowers with a golden opportunity. They should seize it, despite the challenges.
Policy change seen as key for Aussie dollar to rally

24 Jun 2010 Nations & economies, Foreign exchange
The ouster of Kevin Rudd as prime minister sparked a slight rise in the Australian dollar, but further increases are expected to be limited until changes are made to an unpopular mining tax.
Opinion: Rudd’s resignation prompts need for diplomacy

24 Jun 2010 Nations & economies, Editorial, Commodities, Energy
The fall of Kevin Rudd as prime minister was partly down to controversy over his resources super profits tax proposal. His successor Julia Gillard and mining firms need to find a compromise, for both their sakes.
BarCap focuses on equity derivatives e-trading

21 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Structured products, Broking
UK investment bank Barclays Capital has launched its new COMET electronic trading platform in Asia in a bid to capture higher volumes of equity derivative and structured product trades and improve efficiency.
M&A helps lift comatose capital markets

21 Jun 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
Although M&A activity was far lower than a few ago, it nonetheless helped boost the otherwise tepid capital markets in Asia Pacific ex-Japan.
New geothermal tech offers Asia opportunities

19 Jun 2010 Energy
An alternative to conventional geothermal energy is gaining traction and the Philippines could be one of the first Asian countries to benefit, according to Hot Dry Rocks, a specialist consultancy.
NAB’s push into Asia trade speaks volumes

17 Jun 2010 Cash management, Interviews
The Australian lender is playing catch-up with rivals as it strives to capture trade and investment flows between Asia and Australia. A string of senior hires underline its latest strategic push, but it will have its work cut out amid intense competition.
Asia financial services M&A set to soar, says PwC

17 Jun 2010 M&A
A new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers predicts that mergers and acquisitions activity in Asia’s financial services industry will rise as international companies are lured by the region’s growth and regional players seek to expand.
A week in Asia’s business news

17 Jun 2010 Market wrap
Australia’s three largest miners unify to condemn new mining tax, while Hong Kong’s most expensive property sale falls through. Agricultural Bank of China’s IPO gains sovereign wealth backing, and the Chinese bank also ties up an alliance with Standard Chartered.
Bank of China convertible bond lifts sluggish market

14 Jun 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds
The Chinese lender’s Rmb40 billion convertible issue was the largest deal of the week, helping lift issuance. M&A activity was also strong, although debt markets remained weak. Asiamoney.com rounds up last week’s capital markets activity.
A week in Asia's business news

11 Jun 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Nations & economies, Market wrap
Japan gets yet another prime minister, Agricultural Bank of China’s huge IPO looks likely to be smaller than expected, AT&T begins talks with Reliance Communications about buying a stake in the Indian company and New Zealand raises interest rates for the first time in three years.
Aussie and Kiwi dollars set to stay weak for months

10 Jun 2010 Nations & economies, Foreign exchange
Continued risk aversion among international investors looks set keep the Australian and New Zealand dollars weak, in spite of stronger fundamentals and interest rate hikes.
NAB adds quartet to boost Asian trade footprint

09 Jun 2010 Cash management, Market move
The Australian bank has announced four senior appointments to strengthen its business and institutional banking presence in Asia. It wants to benefit from growing trade and investment flows between Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
M&A deals buoyant amid turgid capital markets

07 Jun 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds
Two competing bids for Healthscope sustained Asian M&A volumes, but the region’s equity was lukewarm for the second week running while the bond market had its worst seven-day period of issuance this year.
A week in Asia's business news

03 Jun 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Energy, Broking, Market wrap
Japan’s prime minister resigns as his popularity plummets, UK insurer Prudential walks away from bid for AIA, Standard Chartered completes offering of Indian Depositary Receipts in Mumbai, and Etisalat looks to buy a major stake in Reliance Telecommunications.
Tora looks to link Asia dark pools together

02 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Interviews, Broking
The trading technology provider aims to partner with other crossing networks in the region to give investors access to multiple dark pools from one platform. But competitors are sceptical of its ambitions.
Australian debt set to benefit as safe haven asset

27 May 2010 Bonds
International investors are viewing bonds from the country as a safe haven asset amid the continued volatility experienced by global financial markets. Bankers and analysts say the assets will perform well over the long run.
Best domestic bank awards: Australia

27 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Broking, Polls & awards
ASIAMONEY begins its annual awards period to recognise the best domestic banks, equity houses and debt houses in each major market in Asia-Pacific. We start with our Australia winners.
ANZ aims to gain affluent Japanese clients

26 May 2010 Interviews, Private banking
The Australian bank is striving to double its retail wealth management business for affluent clients in Japan over the next three years, its country CEO Robert Bell says. He is looking to hire and hopes to offer more products with an Asian flavour.
India telco licence sales dominate M&A activity

24 May 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
The sale of a set of 3G telecom licences in India led the region’s M&A activity to rise fourfold over the previous week, while two large debt deals by PetroChina kept debt market buoyant. In contrast, equity markets were tepid. Asiamoney.com rounds up the region’s capital markets.
FTSE and Renaissance launch Asian IPO indices

13 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management
The index company has teamed up with Renaissance Capital to launch two indices that focus on IPO performance in Asia. The creators believe they will lead to new exchange-traded funds, structured products and be used as benchmarks by funds.
Australian resources tax bad for companies: Moody's

10 May 2010 Nations & economies, Commodities
The country’s proposed tax on mining profits will hurt undiversified firms most but may help start ups, says the international rating agency.
Macquarie hires Steinberg to head global derivatives

10 May 2010 Structured products
The Australian investment bank has hired former BNP Paribas banker Todd Steinberg to head its global derivatives and delta-one business from New York, asiamoney.com can exclusively reveal. He replaces the retiring Greg Mackay.
Asia deal volumes fall as volatility rises

10 May 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
The number of new equity and bond listings dramatically slowed down last week amid heightened investor risk aversion. Four IPOs were pulled while bond issues fell by half. Asiamoney.com rounds up the region’s capital markets activity.
UBS veteran Brett Paton joins Citi for Australia push

29 Apr 2010 Investment banking, Market move
The US bank appointed former UBS banker Brett Paton today as it aims to expand its Australian business. His connections and experience will help, but the US bank remains a long way behind Paton’s former employer.
Business news: the past week in Asia

23 Apr 2010 Market wrap
India’s central bank raises interest rates and drains liquidity from the system, while Bank of Thailand holds its rates as blasts rock Bangkok. China tightens regulations on property sales, and the nation became Japan’s largest export market in the year to March for the first time.
Citi adds eight to regional prime finance team

21 Apr 2010 Hedge funds, Market move
The bank has strengthened its team servicing hedge funds in Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney. Underscoring its confidence in regional demand in this area, it says it is looking to add more in synthetic and loan trading.
Deutsche launches Australian ETF to tap yield

21 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
The bank has launched the first Australian money market ETF in an effort to tap the country’s higher yielding interest rate. The fund listed on the Singapore exchange and is available in Australian, Singapore and US dollars.
Business news: the past week in Asia

16 Apr 2010 Market wrap
President Hu Jintao says he is committed to changing China's currency policy gradually. Also, Singapore and China report surging GDP growth in the first quarter, Thailand’s PM comes under mounting pressure, and Agricultural Bank of China selects underwriters for its IPO.
BarCap designs ‘protected’ equity-linked fund

13 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management, Private banking
The investment banking arm of Barclays has launched a fund in Australia that invests in global equity markets via a basket of ETFs. It is designed to guard against bear market losses in response to increased investor caution.
Asia Pacific G3-currency bonds break record

07 Apr 2010 Bonds
The region’s G3-currency denominated bond issuance hit a record quarterly high in the first three months of the year. This led to a 2% increase in total volumes in the region, even as global activity fell by 10%.
A week in Asia’s business news

01 Apr 2010 Market wrap
Two Australian resources consolidation attempts fail, and a major Chinese pension fund looks to invest internationally. Japan sees its largest IPO in years as a life insurance company lists and South Korea is poised to see a similarly gigantic issue from the same sector.
Splash sends ripples with Malaysia M&A offer

30 Mar 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds
The Malaysian company’s purchase of water concessions in its home nation anchored M&A transactions last week. However, equity and debt deal volumes declined compared to the week before. Asiamoney.com rounds up the week’s capital markets.
PE funds buy up Japan-style home fitting firms

29 Mar 2010 Private equity
Two deals with a house-ware theme took place last week, each of which had a distinctly Japanese flavour. Additionally TMT investor Silver Lake finally cracked China with a small acquisition into Spreadtrum Communications, reports mergermarket.
Rio Tinto and Chinalco embark on a new JV

22 Mar 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds
Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto and Aluminum Corp. of China agreed to a joint-venture less than a year after a previous tie-up fell through. Asiamoney.com rounds up the key capital market activity across the region.
Business news: the past week in Asia

19 Mar 2010 Market wrap
Anti-government riots spill over in Bangkok, Australia’s senate approves laws to strip the ASX of its regulatory function, and Premier Wen Jiabao denies the renminbi is undervalued. Also, S&P lifts ratings on Indonesia and India, and Hutchison Telecom closes in on privatisation.
Citi hires corporate banking director in Australia

05 Mar 2010 Investment banking, Market move
The US bank has appointed Brett Hamner as director in its corporate banking team for Australia, according to an internal memo. He joins from Deutsche Bank, where he had been head of corporate banking in Australia.
Business news: the past week in Asia

26 Feb 2010 Market wrap
BoCom announces plans for a rights issue, while Morgan Stanley moves closer to selling its stake in CIC. Hong Kong said it would raise taxes to deflate a potential property bubble and Dai-ichi Life’s targets what would be the world’s largest IPO this year.
Australia bank awards: best debt arranger

11 Feb 2010 Bonds, Securitisation
J.P. Morgan sweeps the prize as the best arranger of international and domestic bonds for Australia. The US bank impressed for its ability to arrange sizeable US dollar deals and place local issues too.
Australia bank awards: best loans arranger

11 Feb 2010 Loans
ANZ impressed with its arranging of some of Australia's largest loans, in both US dollars and Australian dollars. It rightfully takes Asiamoney's best loans arranger award.
Australia bank awards: best investment bank

11 Feb 2010 Investment banking
UBS beat out vigorous competition to take Asiamoney's best Australian investment bank award for 2009. Its combination of stellar equity work, decent M&A and solid bond underwriting ensured that it continues to stand out.
Business news: the past week in Asia

11 Feb 2010 Market wrap
Australia’s richest man gets Chinese funding for a mega-mine, Kirin and Suntory end merger discussions, Temasek launches a new US$4 billion fund, and Taiwan lets its chip- and screen-makers invest more into the mainland.
Asia ready for dark pools plunge, says Chi-East CEO

09 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Broking
The region is primed for alternative crossing networks for investors, says Ned Phillips, the new CEO of Chi-East, the joint venture dark pool between Singapore Exchange and Chi-X Global.
Australia bank awards: Best equity arranger

09 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking
UBS easily stood out as the leading bookrunner of Australian equity during the the busiest year ever for issuance. Responsible for almost one quarter of the market volume, it takes our Australian equity arranger award.
Australia's deals of the year: syndicated loan

08 Feb 2010 Loans, Project finance, Polls & awards
Woodside Petroleum’s ability to raise over US$1 billion in a dual-tranche loan, particularly in March last year, was a notable effort. It wins Asiamoney's award for best syndicated loan over the past year.
Australia's deals of the year: project financing

08 Feb 2010 Loans, Project finance, Polls & awards
Aquasure Finance's dual-tranche project financing was the largest public-private partnership loan of its kind to be syndicated since the start of credit crisis. It earns our prize as best project finance in Australia for the past year.
Australia's deals of the year: local currency bond

05 Feb 2010 Bonds, Polls & awards
The Australian Office of Financial Management invigorated an overlooked form of funding with its A$4 billion inflation-linked bonds due 2025. It wins Asiamoney's award as the best local currency bond in Australia for the last year.
Australia's deals of the year: securitisation

05 Feb 2010 Securitisation, Polls & awards
Members Equity Bank’s A$276 million RMBS issue from its Maxis programme was the first deal of its kind to be issued in 2009 with no government support. This trail-blazing transaction earns our best securitisation award for Australia over the past year.
Australia's deals of the year: equity-linked offering

04 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Polls & awards
The sale of exchangeable bonds to the International Petroleum Investment Co. of Abu Dhabi could influence Papua New Guinea's economic future. It wins our award as best equity-linked offering of the past year.
Australia's deals of the year: international bond

04 Feb 2010 Bonds, Polls & awards
NAB’s euro bond sale was a trend-setter, the first issued by an Australian bank in almost a year. As such it earns Asiamoney's award as the country's best international bond deal of 2009.
Australia's best deals of 2009: M&A

03 Feb 2010 M&A, Polls & awards
The US$3.1 billion merger between Vodafone Australia and Hutchison 3G Australia was a lesson in second-tier rivals cooperating to offer a threat to industry leaders. It wins Asiamoney's award as Australia's best M&A transaction of the past year.
Australia's best deals of 2009: IPO

03 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Polls & awards
Macquarie Capital launched Carsales.com's IPO into a vulnerable market, confident in its business model, and investors agreed. The deal was a success and wins Asiamoney's nod as Australia's best IPO of the past year.
Austalia's deals of the year: equity offering

03 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Polls & awards
Asciano Group's A$2.35 billion share sale allowed it to cut its net debt and rebuff the advances of the avaricious private equity companies. It wins Asiamoney's award for best equity offering in Australia over the past year.
Eleven quit RBS in Australia to join BoA-ML

20 Jan 2010 Commodities, Bonds, Foreign exchange, Market move
RBS saw 10 fixed income traders, sales staff and a personal assistant quit its Sydney office today (January 20). Led by managing director Chris Thomas, all are set to join BoA-ML in May, asiamoney.com can reveal.
Nomura gains ASX trading licence

20 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange
The bank announces it has gained admission to be a trading participant on the Australian Securities Exchange. The move is further evidence of the firm’s ambitions to expand its equities business across the region.

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Australia