New AXA offer looks like a slam dunk

It would take a brave or stupid person to punt that AMP and AXA SA's revised takeover offer for AXA Asia Pacific of $12.85 billion will be anything but a slam dunk when the six independent directors meet this week. Besides upping the offer by an extra 54c, which is equivalent to an extra $1.16 billion in cash, and taking currency fluctuations out of the equation, the AXA Asia Pacific board, headed by Rick Allert, has also managed to squeeze something out for itself: an extra board seat on the merged entity.

Gold's record run may not be over yet

Gold has enjoyed a record-breaking run in recent months, pushing through $US1000 ($1093) an ounce and now driving towards $US1200.

In a time of tumult, ANZ eyes wealth

AS THE market awaits the next move in the $11.6 billion takeover bid for AXA Asia Pacific Holdings from its French parent AXA and local insurance company AMP, hedge funds are taking a punt that the deal might fall over and AXA and AMP will be snaffled up.