Big Banks Profits Under Pressure I was reading the interesting Chanticleer article in the Easter edition of the Australian Financial Review on Friday entitled “Big Banks’ days in the sun could be numbered”. The basic premise of this article is that the current run of high […]

Are Alarm Bells Enough? Yesterday's report in the Sydney Morning Herald regarding Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) vs Professional Investment Services (PIS) is both interesting and alarming. ASIC conducted a surveillance visit back in 2006 and PIS agreed in an enforceable undertaking that it […]

Do You Have One & Does It Work? In Simon Franklin’s article back in June 2010 he examines the Key Person risk issue which of course is a major consideration, especially for investors. At Dequity Partners we are very keen to ensure that all our clients […]

How Can Investors Protect Their Investments From Majority Shareholders? I was reading an interesting article entitled “Shell shocks market with Woodside selldown” in the Australian Financial Review on 9 November 2010. This article reminded me of questions I frequently get asked by investors considering investing […]

What is an unfair deal? There was an interesting article in the Australian Financial Review on Friday 29 October 2010 entitled RHD backs “unfair” PeopleBank bid” (see AFR Article).  The article is about the board of a recruitment company backing a takeover offer despite an […]

We Love Big, Hairy Risks Fear of risk, like fear of spiders, is mostly irrational and based on lack of understanding. Sure, if you poke the wrong type of spider and annoy it enough it may bite you and a certain few species will actually […]

2+2=5 A number of people have asked me about synergy (which is described in most business strategy books as making 2 + 2 = 5) and what it means from a corporate perspective. This subject was brought back into focus in a recent article in the […]

Is ASIC on the Right Track? The Australian Securities & Investments Commission's ("ASIC") findings in their consultation papers released yesterday will come as no surprise to any company directors. ASIC have suggested that boards should disclose all dealings between a company and someone with a […]

Consider Your Options Carefully Choosing to go public or remain private is a decision not to be made lightly. I was reading an article in the Australian Financial Review on Friday 15 October 2010 entitled “Shareholders can’t run public companies”. It goes on to discuss what […]

Do You Understand Investing through Convertible Notes? In the Australian Financial Review Smart Money section on October 9 - 10 2010 there is an article entitled "Limited choice for retail bonds" (see AFR article). This article discusses the problems with raising debt through the ASX, the […]