The Qube Holdings Limited (ASX: QUB) share price has climbed 0.52% higher again on Wednesday morning. At the time of writing the shares are trading at $4.86 a piece. For the year, the shares are 21.5% higher.
Much of that growth happened when Qube shares surged 19.4% to a record high of $4.86 on Monday this week.
What happened?
Qube is Australia's leading provider of logistics solutions, with a primary focus on import and export supply chains. The company comprises two core units: its logistics operating division and the company's 50% interest in Patrick Terminals, Australia's leading container terminal operator.
Its operations business unit covers road and rail transport, warehousing and distribution, container parks, automotive terminals, and grain storage and handling. It also provides comprehensive logistics services and solutions at more than 40 ports in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia.
Its Patrick Terminals business is a leading terminal operator providing container stevedoring services in the Australian market.
Investor interest in Qube rocketed this week after the company announced that Macquarie Assessment Management has launched a $11.6 billion takeover bid for the company. Investors were falling over themselves to snap up the stock, which sent the company's share price soaring.
Macquarie is offering $5.20 per share for the logistics provider, well above its current record-breaking trading price. It means that shares purchased today could be worth 7% more following a successful takeover.
The takeover bid is conditional on several factors, including completion of due diligence and a unanimous recommendation from the Qube board.
The board stated on Monday that it had granted Macquarie a period of exclusive due diligence until 1 February. It also indicated that, at this stage, the directors intend to support the proposal unanimously, provided that the deal is in the best interest of the shareholders.
If the acquisition is successful, it would be Macquarie's largest ever completed transaction in Australia.
Qube is well-positioned to continue record growth
Macquarie's takeover bid for Qube shares is timely, given that the company held its annual general meeting (AGM) last Thursday. The company announced that in FY25, it achieved a record underlying revenue of $4.46 billion, representing a 27.3% year-over-year increase. Qube also lifted its fully franked full-year dividend by 7.1% to 9.8 cents per share.
Qube anticipates that it can maintain this growth momentum in FY26. And management has already confirmed that the company's financial performance in Q1 FY26 is in line with expectations.
So, are Qube shares a buy?
Macquarie's takeover bid presents a clear upside for Qube shares, and it appears likely that the board will support the deal. Qube's board has already agreed to grant Macquarie exclusive due diligence and stated that it will support the deal in the absence of a better offer.
But it's important to note that the deal is not final yet. It is still non-binding, which means it is subject to due diligence and other approvals.
There is also a risk that if the deal is delayed or falls through for any reason, the current share price could be at risk.
