PAUL DARROW
A look at some must-read news on deals and deal makers around the world
Scotia advises Sinopec on purchase of Occidental's Argentina assets
China's Sinopec is on a buying binge in Latin America, and one of the big winners is Canada's Bank of Nova Scotia .
Scotia Waterous, the energy advisory arm of Bank of Nova Scotia, has now been the sole advisor on the two largest oil and gas asset acquisitions in Latin American history, both of which were done by Sinopec.
Scotia Waterous advised China's Sinopec on the $2.45-billion purchase of all assets of Occidental in Argentina. That comes just two months after Scotia helped Sinopec on the $7.1-bilion acquisitions of Repsol's Brazilian assets.
In that case, Repsol was looking at an IPO before Scotia helped put together the deal with Sinopec, which meant much less hassle to get the check that Repsol needed.
As AECL sale struggles, Areva gets cashed up
Areva, the biggest maker of nuclear reactors, is raising $1.2-billion (U.S.) by selling shares to a sovereign wealth fund. Areva wants cash to spend on expansion, for new plants and new uranium mines.
But there's still no sign that Areva is interested in spending any money on Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., the government-owned reactor business that the government put up for sale more than a year ago.
Buyout firms put lab gear maker in play
The resurgent market for debt is leading to more mergers and acquisitions, as buyout firms are increasingly putting companies into play by lobbing in offers.
Beckman Coulter, which makes gear for laboratories, is the latest company to hire bankers and seek potential buyers after getting interest from private equity firms.
Icahn's bid for Lion's Gate change is set back
Carl Icahn failed to get a court injunction that he said was crucial for his hopes of winning a proxy battle at Lions Gate. Mr. Icahn had said getting the court injunction to stop one board member from voting his shares was key to his attempt to install a new board.