A Private Equity Perspective

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Australian ECM Review 2023

10. Resources deals

13 mar 2024 Insight Australia

Reports and highlights - By Alex Mackinnon and Nicole Pedler

Our annual Australian ECM review was released on 23 February and covers significant developments in Australian capital markets, with several chapters providing useful information for private equity clients.

The highlights

1. Block Trades completing the picture of successful PE exits

In 2023 Private Equity firms capitalised on post-float block trades, exemplified by the successful sell down of Apollo Funds’ and CIMIC’s ~65% retained holding in Ventia Services Group following its IPO in 2021. It is well known that IPOs involving Private Equity vendors generally involve escrow arrangements that result in a partial exit on IPO. However, what is not generally appreciated is the opportunity to realise value in post-IPO sell-downs and our analysis showed that greater overall value has been recognised through post-IPO block trades as Private Equity vendors have in a large part managed to calibrate their later sell-downs through block trades at prices above the IPO price. Read more

2. Alternate approaches to listing – Chemist Warehouse’s reverse takeover of Sigma

HSF is advising on Chemist Warehouse’s proposed reverse takeover of Sigma Healthcare, which will see Chemist Warehouse come to the ASX as one of Australia’s largest private companies. The transaction structure enabled a merger with Sigma, unlocking significant synergies and also meant that Chemist Warehouse was not required to comply with ASX’s admission requirements. With IPO markets being muted in 2023, the overwhelming positive response to the Chemist Warehouse / Sigma transaction indicates that the market is nonetheless enthusiastic for high quality listings. Read more

3. 2023 activity

2023 saw fewer listings, but with higher market capitalisation of those that did list as compared with the previous year. The standout listing for 2023 was the IPO of Redox – the largest listing since November 2021 and the largest IPO in 2023 by some margin. Herbert Smith Freehills acted on the listing of Redox Read more

4. 2024 Predictions

Despite economic and geo-political headwinds, green shoots have emerged in late 2023 and early 2024. In 2024, we expect pent-up supply from vendors and founders, matched by pent-up demand from investors seeking new opportunities, to drive capital markets activity. If inflation and interest rate cycles continue to ease, we expect a window for IPOs will likely open between September and November Read more

Turning tides:

Australian ECM Review 2023

Download PDF version

Key contacts

Alexander Mackinnon

Partner, Melbourne

Nicole Pedler

Partner, Sydney

Chapters

First chapter

1. Turning tides: The Australian ECM Review 2023

Legal Notice

The contents of this publication are for reference purposes only and may not be current as at the date of accessing this publication. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action based on this publication.

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