Virgin-Air NZ divorce could trigger bid

Original article by Michael Smith
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 8 : 31-Mar-16

Air New Zealand has indicated that it may divest its 25.9 per cent stake in Virgin Australia Holdings to provide capital for its own growth strategy. Ailevon Pacific Aviation Consulting’s Oliver Lamb says there has been speculation in the aviation industry as to which of Virgin’s three largest shareholders would sell out first. Virgin shares closed at $A0.34 on 30 March 2016, valuing Air NZ’s stake at about $A310m. Virgin could potentially become a takeover target if Air NZ sells its stake.

CORPORATES
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX VAH, AIR NEW ZEALAND LIMITED – ASX AIZ, AILEVON PACIFIC AVIATION CONSULTING, SINGAPORE AIRLINES LIMITED, ETIHAD AIRWAYS, VIRGIN GROUP LIMITED, QANTAS AIRWAYS LIMITED – ASX QAN, DEUTSCHE BANK AG, ANSETT AUSTRALIA HOLDINGS LIMITED, VIRGIN AMERICA INCORPORATED

Duke to cut stake in company under Kathmandu offer

Original article by Carrie LaFrenz
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 21 & 26 : 2-Jul-15

Shares in adventurewear retailer Kathmandu Holdings closed $A0.04 lower on 1 July 2015, at $A1.53. Briscoe Group MD Rod Duke says his company’s cash and scrip takeover bid is "very fair", and adds that the two businesses are "very complementary". Duke has also indicated that New Zealand-based Briscoe will seek to list on the Australian sharemarket if its $A324m bid succeeds. He will also reduce his stake in Briscoe from 78 per cent to 55.1 per cent.

CORPORATES
KATHMANDU HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX KMD, BRISCOE GROUP LIMITED, REBEL SPORT LIMITED, QUADRANT PRIVATE EQUITY PTY LTD

Kathmandu shareholders wary

Original article by Sue Mitchell
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 17 : 1-Jul-15

Shares in adventurewear retailer Kathmandu Holdings closed $A0.32 higher at $A1.57 on 30 June 2015, in response to a takeover bid from New Zealand-listed Briscoe Group. Briscoe, which is headed by Rod Duke, increased its stake in Kathmandu to 19.9 per cent on 29 June, and its bid values the target at about $A324m. Some Kathmandu shareholders have described the bid as "opportunistic". Briscoe’s retail business comprises homewares, sporting goods and gift stores.

CORPORATES
KATHMANDU HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX KMD, BRISCOE GROUP LIMITED, BRISCOES, REBEL SPORT LIMITED, LIVING AND GIVING LIMITED, MILFORD ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED, CYAN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT PTY LTD, PUMPKIN PATCH LIMITED, MACPAC WILDERNESS EQUIPMENT, GOLDMAN SACHS AND PARTNERS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, QUADRANT PRIVATE EQUITY PTY LTD, GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT

Air NZ ‘adamant’ Virgin stays listed

Original article by Jamie Freed
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 13 & 18 : 14-Jul-14

Air New Zealand (NZ) is Virgin Australia’s largest shareholder, with a 25.99 per cent stake. The carrier, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways and Virgin Group have a combined stake of 79.4 per cent in Virgin Australia, but Air NZ CFO Rob McDonald has downplayed speculation that they could seek to privatise the airline. He stresses the importance of maintaining a sharemarket listing, while he has ruled out spinning off Air NZ’s frequent flyer program in the near-term

CORPORATES
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX VAH, AIR NEW ZEALAND LIMITED – ASX AIZ, SINGAPORE AIRLINES LIMITED, ETIHAD AIRWAYS, VIRGIN GROUP LIMITED, QANTAS AIRWAYS LIMITED – ASX QAN, AUSTRALIA. FOREIGN INVESTMENT REVIEW BOARD, MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE INCORPORATED