Daily Brief Australia: Warrego Energy, Monadelphous, Bigtincan Holdings Ltd and more

In today’s briefing:

Warrego (WGO AU)’s Rinehart V Stokes Takeover Tussle in Full Swing

Beach Energy (BPT AU)’s revised offer of A$0.25 per share was quickly gazumped by Hancock’s revised off-market proposal of A$0.28 for Warrego Energy (WGO AU). All other terms remain unchanged.
Speculation that Strike Energy (STX AU) would also be a takeover target has resulted in its all-scrip offer rising to A$0.248 per share (at last close).
Expect another round of the takeover battle as the bidders are well capitalised and the strategic importance of Perth Basin as Australia’s premier onshore basin.

Pilbara Minerals (PLS AU) will replace Lendlease Group (LLC AU) in the S&P/ASX 50 Index, while Monadelphous (MND AU) will replace St Barbara Ltd (SBM AU) in the S&P/ASX 200.
The largest impact from passive trading will be on Monadelphous (MND AU) while the largest flow will be on Pilbara Minerals (PLS AU).
There appears to be significant short positioning on Lendlease Group (LLC AU) as cumulative excess volume and short interest continue to rise.

Bigtincan Holdings Ltd (BTH AU) disclosed a non-binding indicative offer of A$0.80 per share offer from SQN, a skinny 17.6% premium to the undisturbed price.
The offer is unattractive on several fronts and is the latest beaten-down ASX tech stock to be subject to a PE bid. Expect the Board to reject the offer.
Bigtincan also revealed other non-binding expressions of interest. This offer could flush out other potential bidders. At the last close, the gross spread is 6.0%.

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