M&A

US real estate company CoStar has made a second offer to buy real estate listing site Domain, upping its offer price by more than 5 per cent.

Australian building materials giant James Hardie will acquire US-based home decking provider AZEK in a nearly $14 billion merger.

Nine Entertainment has confirmed it is in talks with US real estate company CoStar over its proposal to buy the media company's 60 per cent stake in real estate listing site Domain.

The CDPP has dropped charges against former G8 Education director Jennifer Hutson related to the ASX-listed childcare company's 2015 takeover bid for Affinity Education Group.

The ACCC has issued guidance on the transition to its new mandatory merger control regime, warning businesses to make requests for informal reviews under the old regime soon or risk running out of time.

Gold producer Black Cat has acquired Westgold’s Lakewood processing facility located just outside Kalgoorlie for $85 million. 

Developer AVJennings said it is mulling competing takeover offers by Singaporean developer Ho Bee Land and private equity-backed AVID Property Group.

Law firm Maddocks has advised Simonds Group on its $10 million pick-up of Dennis Family Homes, an acquisition expected to generate $200 million in additional revenue for the homebuilder next year.

The competition regulator is seeking views on whether IAG's bid to acquire a 90 per cent stake in RACQ's insurance underwriting business for $855 million could saddle consumers with higher prices.

Law firm HFW has welcomed former Herbert Smith Freehills energy M&A partner Graeme Gamble to its Perth office.