Banks tumble over advice compo fears

Original article by Michael Roddan
The Australian – Page: 17 & 20 : 9-Oct-18

The ANZ Bank has advised that its full-year accounts for 2017-18 will include charges totalling $739m in the second half. Amongst other things, ANZ has advised of $374m in charges to compensate customers who paid fees for services they had not received, while its costs associated with the financial services royal commission are expected to total $55m. The major banks will shortly come under scrutiny by the House of Representatives economics committee for the first time since the inquiry began.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, AUSTRALIA. ROYAL COMMISSION INTO MISCONDUCT IN THE BANKING, SUPERANNUATION AND FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY, AUSTRALIA. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STANDING COMMITTEE ON ECONOMICS, WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – ASX WBC, AMP LIMITED – ASX AMP, AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES AND INVESTMENTS COMMISSION, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA – ASX CBA, NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB, UBS HOLDINGS PTY LTD, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, STANDARD AND POOR’S FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC, MLC LIMITED, MAURICE BLACKBURN PTY LTD, SLATER AND GORDON LIMITED – ASX SGH

BHP slip-up to provide more ammo for Elliott

Original article by Peter Ker
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 17 : 21-Jul-17

BHP Billiton has restated its 2016 financial accounts after conceding that there were problems with the processes it had used to determine the impairment charges on US shale assets. Ross Illingworth, the executive director of Kingfisher Capital Partners, says the admission will strengthen Elliott Management’s case for a restructuring at BHP. Meanwhile, Elliott has likened BHP’s proposal to develop the Jansen potash project in Canada to its ill-fated foray into US shale.

CORPORATES
BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, KINGFISHER CAPITAL PARNERS, ELLIOTT MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

Warning over Peabody’s local mines

Original article by Matt Chambers
The Australian – Page: 19 & 22 : 3-May-16

The auditor’s report in the latest financial accounts of Peabody Energy Australia Coal warns of doubts as to whether it can continue as a going concern. Its US-based parent, Peabody Energy Corporation, recently filed for bankruptcy protection with debts of $US6.3bn. The Australian business is not subject to the bankruptcy filing, but its financial accounts note that a $US250m inter-company loan facility may not be sufficient for all of Peabody Energy Australia’s cash outflows.

CORPORATES
PEABODY ENERGY AUSTRALIA COAL PTY LTD, PEABODY ENERGY CORPORATION, ERNST AND YOUNG, EXCEL COAL LIMITED, MACARTHUR COAL LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES AND INVESTMENTS COMMISSION