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The article reports on the negotiation between Constellation Brands Inc. and Australian Vintage Ltd. to merge selected operations in Australia and New Zealand. The goal behind the proposed merger is to battle the weak wine industry in Australia. Brands of Constellation include Hardys, Banrock Station and Stonehaven.

The article reports on the claim by the high technology company Apple that the corporate logo of Australian retailer Woolworths is very similar to its own logo. The retailer introduced its logo in 2008 representing a peeled fruit. Apple is calling for the Australian agency governing trademarks to reject the application for the logo of Woolworths.

The article reports on the plan of Australian conglomerate, CSR Ltd., to split its sugar and building-products business in 2010 to create two separately listed companies. The company is conducting due diligence to create a sugar company that includes renewable energy and a company for its building products, property and aluminum businesses. In May 2009, USB valued CSR at A$2.5 billion and its sugar unit at A$1.2 billion. CSR expects to complete the restructuring by March 31, 2010.

The article reports on the decision of CSL Ltd., a producer of human-plasma products based in Australia, to cancel its proposed acquisition of Talecris Biotherapeutics Holdings Corp. of the U.S. Both CSL and Talecris have decided to abandon the proposed acquisition after it was opposed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission on antitrust concerns. It relates the rank of Talecris in the plasma medicine market. Brian McNamee, managing director at CSL, shares that the funds raised for the Talecris transaction will be returned to investors.

This article reports on a recapitalization proposal received by OZ Minerals Ltd. to help the Australian mining firm pay off debt in 2009. RFC Corporate Finance and RBC Capital Markets introduced the proposal. They claimed that the proposal is superior in value to that of China Minmetals Nonferrous Metals Co. OZ Minerals will consider the joint proposal.

This article focuses on the belief by Australian plasma-product maker CSL Ltd. that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is likely to block the company's U.S.$3.1 billion bid to acquire rival Talecris Biotherapeutics Inc. CSL Managing Director Brian McNamee has met with FTC officials to argue for the deal but was informed during the meeting that FTC staff have recommended for the rejection of the deal. CSL is considering returning surplus funds to investors if the deal would not push through.

The article reports on the decision of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to extend its ban on the short selling of shares in financial companies for a third time. This move was prompted by the potential detriment of predatory practices. It also expressed concern about continued volatility in the global marketplace and said the ban remains under review. Market participants have criticized the ban and said it hurts the country's reputation as a trading destination.

The article reports on the 69% decrease in the 2008 net profit of Mirvac Group due to property re-appraisals and write-offs on investments in Australia. The property developer posted an earnings of A$171.8 million compared with A$556.1 million in 2007. Its impaired assets is worth A$400.1 million as a result of the worldwide credit crisis affecting its real estate values and debt-funding expenditures.

The article reports on a warning by Centro Properties Group, Australia's second-largest mall owner and manager, that it is not certain if lenders will allow further extensions on its debt payments. By September 30, 2008, Centro should show lenders it is making progress with its strategic review. The company stated its planned sale of assets may not be enough to recapitalize the business. It is studying converting some of its debt into hybrid securities as part of any debt extension. The company's share values have declined 96% since December 17, 2007.

The article reports that Century Properties Group has won loan maturity extension from December 15, 2008 to April 30, 2008. The loan amounts to 2.8 billion Australian dollar and this gives time for the firm to find buyers for its unlisted funds, Centro Australia Wholesale Fund and Centro America Fund. U.S. and European banks have earlier given Centro debt extension to September 30, 2008 for loans worth A$2.6 billion.

The article reports on the bidding for Centro Properties Group, an Australian company experiencing liquidity problems in the U.S. Bidders include Westfield Group, a rival Australian shopping center owner and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. based in Toronto, Ontario. Centro, which owns 674 shopping centers in the U.S., negotiated a two-month extension of its short-term debts in December 2007 after failing to get refinancing.

The article reports on the statement issued by Paul Little, managing director at Toll Holdings Ltd., that he envisions to tie up transport assets with the shipping-pallet business of Brambles Ltd. with a friendly deal. Brambles' shares increased 3.4% to 13.80 Australian dollars on September 11, 2007, which gave the company a market capitalization of 19.55 billion Australian dollars. According to Mike Ihlein, chief executive at Brambles, Toll has not approached his group with any plan about integrating its pallet business into the supply chain of Toll.

Reports on the move of Macquarie Bank Ltd. on April 29, 2006 to tell the Australian Stock Exchange that it is seeking to form a consortium to make an all-cash offer to purchase Patrick Corp., whose board only recently endorsed a bid by Toll Holdings Ltd. to buy the ports and airline operator for $5.8 billion Australian dollars in cash and stock.

The article reports that Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd., has a 25.5% stake in the airline, as the carrier is about to launch its flight between Australia and the U.S. by the end of 2008. According to the company, direct flight everyday connecting Sydney, New South Wales and Los Angeles, California begins on December 15, 2008. It will also establish alliance with Northwest Airlines Corp. for other routes in the U.S. and Canada. Virgin Blue joins the national carrier Qantas Airways in flying the trans-Pacific route.