Deals

Industry groups have strongly criticised today's shock announcement that the state government is planning to merge energy utilities Verve and Synergy.

Shares in Sundance Resources plunged after resuming trade today, after it officially canned its $1.3 billion takeover deal with China's Hanlong Mining overnight.

Perth-based pipes and fitting manufacturer David Moss Group has announced the acquisition of Queensland-headquartered irrigation and draining products supplier PPI Corporation.

Southern Cross Goldfields will merge with Polymetals Mining, creating a gold miner with a market capitalisation of around $30 million.

Investment bank Gresham believes conditions are right for significant corporate finance activity in mining services as companies in the sector look at growth and diversification strategies.

Sundance Resources says it is concluding talks with suitor Hanlong Mining.

Sundance Resources has given Hanlong Mining until Monday to stump up a $5 million payment due under the companies' stalled takeover agreement.

Shares in troubled retailer Billabong have been suspended indefinitely so it can continue takeover talks with two potential suitors.

Sundance Resources is likely to end its takeover talks with Hanlong Mining and look for another Chinese suitor.

USA-based investment house Vulcan Phosphates has emerged as Minemakers' major shareholder, after investing more than $2.5 million in the Perth-based explorer.

International consulting, engineering and construction services contractor MWH Global plans to acquire Perth-based environmental consultancy Outback Ecology.

Shares in Linc Energy fell more than 12 per cent after the company announced it has raised $200 million through a convertible bond issue.

Gold miner Troy Resources has made an all-scrip off-market takeover bid for Azimuth Resources, valuing the target at $188 million.

Aleator Energy has secured a $US20 million loan to fund exploration at its Povorotnoye gas and condensate development in the Ukraine.

Torque Mining has pulled its initial public offering off the table after it failed to meet the minimum subscription threshold of $3 million.

Qantas and Emirates have been given the green light to form a global alliance, albeit with special conditions for flights across the Tasman.

Virgin Australia has received approval from the High Court of Singapore for its purchase of Skywest Airlines.

Crusader Resources has secured a $20 million debt finance facility with Macquarie Bank which will fund the development of its Brazilian projects - the Borborema gold project and Posse iron ore deve

Shares in takeover target Norfolk Group were up strongly today after bad news on a contract termination was outweighed by the disclosure that its takeover price could be nearly twice the 38 cents p

Hanlong's troublesome 20 month-long takeover of Sundance Resources looks to be almost dead, after the Chinese suitor disclosed it would not meet a key funding deadline for the $1.3 billion dea

Gold junior Hannans Reward has raised $2.8 million to fund exploration at its Pahtohavare copper-gold project in northern Sweden.

Engineering and construction contractor Clough says it is on the lookout for fresh acquisitions after selling its stake in Forge Group, less than three years after it purchased it.

Cedar Woods director Robert Brown has sold off just over $4.7 million shares in the company.

RCR Tomlinson has made a $62 million offer to purchase engineering contractor Norfolk Group.

Investor Craig Burton and Navitas executive Scott Jones have backed a restructurting at Verus Investments, which has announced a capital raising and a new managing director to support its oil &

Commonwealth Bank is free to seize control of independent mortgage provider Aussie Home Loans after the competition watchdog gave its blessing to the deal.

Sundance Resources has raised the possibility of terminating its long-running $1.3 billion takeover agreement with China's Hanlong Mining, while also confirming it is in discussions with other part

AN investment group backed by private equity player KKR, and forestry veterans Tony Jack and Bob Bunning, is set to become the second largest owner of Indian sandalwood plantations in the Ord River

Perth-based oil and gas minnow Kairiki Energy has announced a $12.1 million capital raising to pay back company debts and provide additional working capital.

One of Perth's largest commercial printing businesses has been sold to its local management team following the collapse of national operator GEON Australia.

The Tony Sage-chaired Cauldron Energy has made an off-market, all-scrip takeover bid for uranium explorer Energy Minerals, valuing the target at just under $6 million.

Buru Energy has sold off interests in two petroleum exploration permits in the Canning Basin to Rey Resources and Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation for cash considerations of around $21 million.