Latest Australian Securities And Investments Commission News

Fiducian Group posted solid underlying earnings growth in FY2026, boosted by a 7% rise in funds under management, advice and administration, while absorbing a one-off $7.95 million ASIC penalty that halved statutory profits.

James Hardie Industries has been hit with a new class action in Victoria alleging breaches related to forward-looking financial statements made between May and August 2025. The company denies any wrongdoing and plans to defend vigorously.

Cygnus Metals has cleared a key legal hurdle with the WA Supreme Court approving a shareholder meeting to vote on Central Asia Metals' acquisition proposal. The Scheme Booklet, including an Independent Expert’s Report, will be dispatched next week ahead of the September meeting.

Fiducian Group's subsidiary Fiducian Investment Management Services Limited has settled ASIC civil proceedings with a $7.3 million penalty plus $650,000 in costs, approved by the NSW Supreme Court.

Forrestania Resources has extended its off-market takeover offer for Zenith Minerals shares to 31 August 2026, while ASIC has approved a faster payment window that removes withdrawal rights for shareholders.

Cygnus Metals has lodged its draft scheme booklet with ASIC, moving closer to a planned acquisition by Central Asia Metals. Regulatory approvals in North Macedonia are complete, with Kazakhstan clearance still pending.

HSBC Bank Australia is selling its AUD36 billion home and personal loan portfolio to Blackstone affiliates, marking a significant step in winding down its Australian retail banking operations. The deal awaits regulatory approvals and is expected to close in early 2027.

Pepper Money is set to become the servicer for a massive A$36 billion loan portfolio from HSBC Australia following its acquisition by a Blackstone-controlled entity, aligning with Pepper Money's strategy to expand its capital-light servicing business.

Loyal Metals has sent its Scheme Booklet to shareholders detailing the proposed A$0.45 per share acquisition by PT Bumi Resources, setting the stage for a shareholder vote on 20 August 2026.

Loyal Metals has cleared a key regulatory hurdle with ASIC registering the Scheme Booklet for its proposed A$0.45 per share acquisition by PT Bumi Resources. The Independent Expert endorses the deal as fair and reasonable, while Loyal’s board unanimously backs the scheme, setting the stage for a shareholder vote.

Qoria Limited’s acquisition by Aura Consolidated Group has become legally effective following Federal Court approval, with Qoria shares suspended and Aura CHESS Depositary Interests set for issuance in mid-July.

Qube Holdings' acquisition by Rubik Australia is now legally effective following Supreme Court approval, with trading suspension imminent. The company has declared a fully franked special dividend of $0.3465 per share, payable mid-July, ahead of the scheme implementation in August.