Deals

Manufacturer Bradken is opening its books to its private equity suitors and fielding takeover interest from other parties.

Silver Lake Resources has cancelled the $5.5 million sale of its Lakewood Mill near Kalgoorlie, after the buyer was unable to secure financing.

Energy infrastructure business APA Group has announced the purchase of the QCLNG pipeline in Queensland for $US5 billion ($A5.41 billion).

Vacuum cleaner retailer Godfreys Group has made a strong start to trade on the share market.

Gold developer Norton Gold Fields has taken a stake of 10.8 per cent in Phoenix Gold, but has clarified it has “no present intention to make a takeover offer”.

Blackgold International Holdings has negotiated terms for a $S25 million ($A22.9 million) convertible bond issue, to supplement working capital and for acquisitions.

The run of mining companies turning to the technology sector is far from over with another reverse takeover in the works.

Property developer Finbar Group has announced an on-market share buy-back under which the company can buy back up to 12 million shares within a year.

Shares in Geopacific were up 9.3 per cent today as the company announced a $3 million rights issue, with the company planning to step up exploration activity at its Cambodian Kou Sa project.

The mining giant says it’s about heritage, but the new moniker for its less-loved assets shows the management team has plenty of latitude.

Western Australia’s first ever uranium mine could be a step closer towards completion, with uranium developer Toro Energy completing a $3.9 million raising to fund its Wiluna project.

Western Australian companies are on the outer in the quarterly reshuffle of the S&P ASX indices, with local players including Iluka Resources and Medusa Mining dropping out.

Shares in Bradken have soared to a two-month high on the back of a conditional takeover proposal, as the heavy equipment manufacturer continues to close its factories and shed jobs across Perth.

Shares in diversified mining and infrastructure contractor Decmil Group gained up to 9.2 per cent on the ASX today, following its announcement of an on market share buy-back for up to 10 per cent of the company’s shares.

Shares in Perth-based Carnarvon Petroleum have surged on news it entered into an agreement to sell its remaining 20 per cent interest in its Thailand oil production assets to the Berlanga Group for $68.5 million.

Engineering giant Monadelphous Group will enter the water market with the purchase of diversified design, build and maintenance business Water Infrastructure Group for about $6 million.

Santos shares have hit a near eight-year low as the energy company shelved a debt raising and announced plans to slash spending due to weak oil prices.

Woolworths has bought itself a foothold in China's growing wine and drinks market, acquiring one of the country's largest alcoholic drinks distributors.

Dongyi Hua-led VDM Group is looking to strengthen its balance sheet by signing a share placement agreement with a private investor to raise $3 million.

Cash Converters International says it plans to raise $45 million to help terminate commissions to development agents on its rapidly growing personal loans business.

Oil and gas producer Neon Energy has said the result of its recent shareholder meeting gives it a mandate to pursue a merger with Melbourne-based MEO, despite receiving renewed notice that key shareholder Evoworld Corporation will call a meeting to remove directors.

Subiaco-based White Star Resources, which is in the process of acquiring a technology business, will seek shareholder approval to increase its previously announced capital raising to $5 million, to accommodate a new prominent cornerstone investor.

Transport and logistics group Toll Holdings has announced that its marine logistics business will focus on the offshore LNG sector, after completing the sale of several operations in northern Australia and Asia.

Shares in Perth-based contractor OTOC have surged on news it is looking to expand its presence on the east coast with the acquisition of Sydney-based Geo-Metric Surveying for up to $12 million.

Western Australian resources companies are increasingly looking to private equity players for funding as an alternative to traditional capital raisings, with more than $300 million in deals just this month.

Perth-based unlisted ATM provider Stargroup is set to be bought out for an undisclosed amount by ASX-listed iCash Payment Systems, after iCash announced today it has signed a memorandum of understanding for the acquisition.

The world's largest fresh meat processor JBS will pay $1.45 billion to acquire small goods producer Primo Group as it looks to export pork to Asia.

Redcliffe-based labour and equipment hire business Global Construction Services has secured $14 million through a placement with a Brookfield Asset Management private equity fund, as part of a strategic partnership.

Shares in Quickflix have plummeted on news it wants to raise almost $6 million to help it secure new TV and movie content ahead of the arrival of US giant Netflix in Australia.

The competition regulator is allowing struggling clothing maker Pacific Brands to sell its workwear business to Wesfarmers.

Shares in Adelaide-based Flinders Mines plummeted on the stock market today after it announced a $6.7 million capital raising to complete a feasibility study on its Pilbara iron ore project.

Amcom Telecommunications is preparing for a busy end to the year as negotiations with Vocus Communications continue and TPG Telecom waits on the sidelines.