The proposal includes a price of A$45 per share, following an earlier bid of A$43 per share. In response, AUB has granted EQT exclusive access to its financial records for six weeks starting October 8 under a confidentiality agreement. This period allows EQT to conduct thorough due diligence before finalizing the acquisition.
Following the announcement, AUB shares surged up to 11% to A$39.95 but remained below the offer price. This movement reflects investor optimism about the potential deal, although the stock has underperformed compared to the broader market and its competitor, Steadfast Group, over the past year.
This potential acquisition follows a significant share sell-down by Odyssey Investment Partners last year, and currently, First Sentier Investors and Capital World Investors are AUB's largest stakeholders. EQT's interest is part of a broader trend of global private equity investment in Australia's insurance sector, driven by expectations of stable premium growth and cash flow.
Analysts anticipate further mergers and acquisitions in the sector amid these favorable conditions. As the landscape evolves, small to medium business owners should stay informed about such developments, as they can influence market dynamics, policy offerings, and premium rates.
