INVESTMENTS

China-linked rare earths investors flout Chalmers’ sale edict

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Original article by Mark Wembridge
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 16 : 8-Jul-26

Northern Minerals has confirmed that six companies with links to China still hold a combined stake of about 17.6 per cent in the criticial minerals producer. Treasurer Jim Chalmers had directed the six companies to divest their stakes in Northern Minerals by 2 July. He had previously attempted in 2024 to compel China-linked investors to divest their stakes in Northern Minerals, citing national security concerns. Northern Minerals’ Browns Range rare earths project in Western Australia is considered to be of strategic importance in reducing China’s dominance of critical minerals supply.

CORPORATES
NORTHERN MINERALS LIMITED – ASX NTU, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY

Fortescue aims for 2030 debut in African iron ore

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Original article by Peter Ker
The Australian Financial Review – Page: Online : 24-Dec-25

Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema has committed to undertaking a "comprehensive audit" of every mining agreement that the developing nation secured between 2010 and 2024. This is likely to include the deal that Fortescue struck with Nguema’s predecessor Ali Bongo in 2021 regarding the Belinga iron ore project. Fortescue’s executive chairman Andrew Forrest recently travelled to Gabon to discuss the project with Nguema. Fortescue aims to complete a feasibility study by the end of 2026, and Forrest has indicated that he wants shipments to begin by 2030.

CORPORATES
FORTESCUE LIMITED – ASX FMG

Rex Airlines finds US buyer after entering into voluntary administration

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Original article by Miriah Davis
abc.net.au – Page: Online : 22-Oct-25

The administrators of Rex Airlines have confirmed that they have secured a sale and implementation deed with US-based air services company Air T. The deal follows a long-running sale process for Rex, which went into voluntary administration in June 2024. Transport Minister Catherine King in turn has confirmed that the federal government has entered into an agreement with Air T in relation to restructuring Rex’s financing arrangements. She says this will allow Rex to continue to provide aviation services for regional communities. Air T is a holding company for 16 entities that provide a range of aviation services. The deal will be put to Rex’s creditors in coming weeks.

CORPORATES
REX AIRLINES PTY LTD, REGIONAL EXPRESS HOLDINGS LIMITED, AIR T INCORPORATED, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS

Teaching Mandarin in Victorian schools, student exchange top of China strategy

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Original article by Chip Le Grand
The Age – Page: Online : 17-Sep-25

Closer education links with China will be a key part of the Victorian government’s so-called ‘China Strategy’. Premier Jacinta Allan has signed a memorandum of understanding during a personal meeting with China’s Minister for Education, Huai Jinpeng. The agreement includes a student exchange program at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, while Victorian students will learn Mandarin. Allan has also announced that China’s Trina Solar has received approval for a $435m battery project in Victoria. However, she has declined to comment on a transport announcement that she is slated to make later this week, and whether it will include Chinese investment in the Suburban Rail Loop project.

CORPORATES
VICTORIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET, CHINA. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, TRINA SOLAR LIMITED

Domain pursuer CoStar acquires Homes.com.au

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Original article by Zoe Samios
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 17 : 4-Jun-25

Sources have indicated that US-based CoStar has struck a deal to acquire the Homes.com.au domain name for $22.8m. CoStar, which is seeking to buy property listings group Domain Holdings for $3bn, already owns the Homes.com domain in the US and has spent more than $US1bn on a marketing campaign for the brand. Its deal to acquire Homes.com.au could indicate that CoStar will consider rebranding Domain if shareholders approve the deal in August. CoStar’s founder and CEO Andy Florance says that acquiring the Homes.com.au domain will give his company a range of options regarding how it positions itself in the Australian market.

CORPORATES
COSTAR GROUP INCORPORATED, HOMES.COM.AU, DOMAIN HOLDINGS AUSTRALIA LIMITED – ASX DHA, HOMES.COM

PM urged to act over US Darwin port offer

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Original article by Ben Packham
The Australian – Page: 5 : 28-May-25

Landbridge Group’s long-term lease on the Port of Darwin is under renewed scrutiny, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese under growing pressure to act on his election pledge on the issue. Shadow home affairs minister James Patersons says Albanese should use the federal goverment’s constitutional powers to force Landbridge to relinquish its lease if it does not do so willingly on commercial terms. US-based private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management has proposed buying the port lease; Paterson says Cerberus would be an acceptable buyer under Australia’s foreign investment rules.

CORPORATES
PORT OF DARWIN, LANDBRIDGE GROUP COMPANY LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, CERBERUS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP

Gas green light puts Woodside in front

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Original article by Elouise Fowler
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 16 : 30-Apr-25

Woodside Energy has made a final investment decision to proceed with its e $US17bn ($27bn) Louisiana LNG project in the US. Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill has described the project as a "game-changer" for the oil and gas group. The project, which was previously called Driftwood, was acquired for $1.2bn in 2024. Woodside will contribute $US11.8bn to its development, while the balance will be funded by Stonepeak, which has bought a 40 per cent stake in Louisiana LNG. The project will make Woodside one of the world’s biggest producers of LNG, with a global market share of more than five per cent.

CORPORATES
WOODSIDE ENERGY GROUP LIMITED – ASX WDS

Bitcoin emerges from bear market as traders tip $US125K

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Original article by Alex Gluyas
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 23 : 29-Apr-25

The price of bitcoin rose by 12 per cent last week, compared with a 6.7 per cent gain for the Nasdaq. The cryptocurrency recorded its largest weekly rise since shortly after Donald Trump won the US presidential election in November. It subsequently peaked at around $US109,000 following his inauguration in late January, before falling sharply in response to the tariffs-induced trade war. Tony Sycamore from IG believes that bitcoin could test its record level again, adding that there is potential for it to rise to around $US125,000.

CORPORATES
IG MARKETS LIMITED, NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX

Marles stays mum on US role in port U-turn

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Original article by Ronald Mizen
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 5 : 8-Apr-25

The federal government continues to attract scrutiny over its decision to terminate a Chinese company’s 99-year on the Port of Darwin if it wins the 3 May election. A review of the lease in 2023 had concluded that it was not necessary to vary or cancel Landbridge’s lease. Defence Minister Richard Marles addressed a press conference on Monday, but he declined to elaborate on why Labor’s position on the port lease has changed. Marles said the government has had discussions with US regarding the lease, and also decline to comment on whether this contributed to Labor’s new stance. Labor pre-empted Opposition leader Peter Dutton’s own announcement on cancelling Landbridge’s lease.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF DEFENCE, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, LANDBRIDGE GROUP COMPANY LIMITED, PORT OF DARWIN, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

Time to buy, says James Hardie

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Original article by Cameron England
The Australian – Page: 15 & 23 : 25-Mar-25

Australian-listed building materials group James Hardie Industries has defended its move to acquire US-based Azec, which makes outdoor living products such as decking and siding. James Hardie CEO Aaron Erter says the two companies’ products are complementary, and the $US8.75bn ($13.93bn) deal is expected to generate annual synergies of around $US350m. Erter has also downplayed concerns about pursuing the deal amid the current political and macroeconomic uncertainty, contending that they will be well-placed to benefit when the market recovers.

CORPORATES
JAMES HARDIE INDUSTRIES PLC – ASX JHX, THE AZEC COMPANY INCORPORATED