Baker & McKenzie Acts for Flow Energy on its Merger with FAR Limited
Deal Announcement
15 November 2011
Melbourne, Australia, 15 November 2011 – Baker & McKenzie has acted for Flow Energy on its merger with ASX listed FAR Limited. The deal was effected by way of an agreed scrip takeover bid by FAR.
The Baker & McKenzie team was led by Corporate partner Richard Lustig, senior associate Yasmine Gardner and associate Simon Schenkel. The team worked closely with financial adviser RFC Corporate Finance Limited on the deal.
Lustig said the transaction was particularly interesting due to the parties preparing, agreeing and announcing all the transaction documentation on the same day.
"It is certainly rare for parties to be able to release an agreed Announcement, signed Bid Implementation Agreement, Bidder's Statement and Target's Statement on the same day. We were happy to help Flow achieve this excellent outcome," commented Lustig.
He added that given recent flatness in equity markets, he expected that unlisted companies particularly in the resources sector would look towards improving liquidity and unlocking value for their shareholders by methods other than traditional IPO's.
"As is the case with the Flow-FAR merger, we are noticing a trend for unlisted companies to negotiate scrip deals with existing listed entities or undertake back-door listings – these are relatively quick ways for companies to give their shareholders exposure to a listed, rather than unlisted investment." he said.
FAR was advised by Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Hartleys Limited.