VENTURE CAPITAL POST

Australia's treasurer Joe Hockey has given a conditional approval for State Grid Corporation of China's acquisition of stakes in Australian electricity and gas distribution assets.

Australia-based mobile device provider Telstra Corporation Ltd will sell CSL, its Hong Kong-based mobiles business to HKT Limited in a deal valued at $2.425 billion.

Australia-based international packaging giant Amcor has agreed to buy Constar International Holdings' US assets for an unconfirmed sum, in a court-supervised transaction under the US Bankruptcy Code.

US-based private equity firms Carlyle Group and KKR & Co and Australian investment firm Archer Capital have advanced in the sale of Transpacific Industries Group's waste management business. The three firms are working with banks to put together loan packages to back their bids.

David Gonski, the head of the sovereign wealth fund of Australia, will be the Chairman of the Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd, Bloomberg reported.

Canadian dairy firm Saputo Inc, following a probe by Australia's Takeover Panel, said that it will raise and extend its takeover offer for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Holdings Co.

Australian natural gas giant APA Group entered an agreement to acquire the rest of distribution firm Envestra Ltd after increasing its offer to around AU$1.4 billion ($1.3 billion).

Australia-based agricultural firm Ruralco Holdings Ltd will raise $25 million for the company's growth through a fully underwritten institutional placement that prices its shares at $3.25 apiece.

Australia-based investment management firm Challenger Ltd has entered a deal to purchase self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) services provider Bendzulla Actuarial in a deal valued at $25 million.

Japanese insurance firm Sompo Japan Insurance Inc will acquire private British company Canopius in a deal valued at $970 million to expand its overseas operations, according to a report.

Asia Pacific Stock Exchange (APX), a new bourse that aims to lure Chinese firms, has received final approval from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to start operating.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd plans to sell down its 8.6% stake in Kiwi Income Property Trust, which is worth NZ$95.7 million based on its last trading price.

Insurance Australia Group Ltd (IAG) bought the Australian and New Zealand underwriting business of Western Australia's farmers' cooperative Wesfarmers Ltd for $1.845 billion.

Australia-based oil explorer Senex Energy Ltd has made a preliminary offer to buy and merge with AWE Ltd, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

US-based professional technical services provider Jacobs Engineering Group Inc announced the completion of its merger with Australia-based firm Sinclair Knight Merz in a deal valued at AU$1.3 billion.