Brookfield set for showdown with Origin shareholders
The ACCC's expected decision on Brookfield's $18.7b takeover of Origin Energy next week will force some tough decisions on the Canadian bidder - whichever way it goes.
Whichever way it goes, the Australian Competition and Consumer's decision on Brookfield's $18.7 billion takeover of Origin Energy next week will force some difficult decisions on the Canadian investment giant.
If the competition regulator approves the deal - would Brookfield be willing to budge on price to quell rising shareholder discontent? On the other hand, if the regulator blocks the deal, would it walk away?
They are questions many in the market are asking right now and if the smoke signals from Brookfield are anything to go by the answer to both appears to be no. At least at this stage.
An influential group of dissatisfied Origin shareholders have in recent weeks been publicly agitating for a higher offer from the Canadian investment giant, with surging energy prices and the strong performance of its 20% investment in UK operator Octopus Energy among their points of contention.
