At lunch on Monday the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to start the week with a solid gain. The benchmark index is up 0.6% to 6,882.2 points.
Here's what is happening on the market today:
Vocus takeover approach
The Vocus Group Ltd (ASX: VOC) is rocketing higher today after being the subject of a takeover approach. The telco has received a confidential non-binding, indicative proposal from Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) and its managed funds. According to the release, MIRA has made an offer of $5.50 per share. This represents a 25.5% premium to its last close price. Vocus has granted MIRA with due diligence access.
Zip surges higher
The Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) share price is surging notably higher on Monday. This appears to have been driven by speculation that the company could be considering a secondary listing in the United States. This is expected to give the buy now pay later provider greater access to US capital markets. According to the AFR, management will spend the next few days in front of US investors. It will no doubt be highlighting the meteoric growth of its US based QuadPay business.
Treasury Wine demerger speculation rebuffed
The Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) share price is pushing higher today despite rebuffing speculation that it is planning to split into three separate entities. The wine company advised that it "has formally paused work on a potential demerger of its Penfolds brand, and further that it is not currently considering a demerger of any brands/businesses within its portfolio."
Best and worst ASX 200 performers
The best performer on the ASX 200 on Monday has been the Vocus share price with its 14% gain. This follows the aforementioned receipt of a takeover approach. The worst performer has been the News Corp (ASX: NWS) share price with a 3.5% decline. This appears to be due to profit taking after a particularly strong gain last week.
