Australia's 'maze of uncertainty' scuttles $40 billion worth of M&A, clouds outlook

Core Viewpoint - The Australian market has seen nearly $40 billion in failed buyouts this year, the highest in fifteen years, primarily due to regulatory risks and misaligned valuations [1][3]. Group 1: Market Overview - The ADNOC-led consortium's $18.7 billion bid for Santos, Australia's second-largest gas producer, is among the notable deals that have collapsed this year [1][2]. - The total value of failed deals has reached the highest level since 2010, raising concerns about the feasibility of large-scale transactions in Australia [3]. Group 2: Regulatory Environment - A lengthy approval process involving the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), and other agencies has made deal execution more challenging [3]. - New ACCC rules effective from January 1 require mandatory pre-approval for most deals, adding complexity to the deal-making landscape [4][5]. Group 3: Industry Sentiment - Despite public equity markets being at record highs and funding being readily available, factors such as technological disruption and new regulatory requirements have hindered M&A activity [4]. - The ACCC's push for a mandatory approval process has created uncertainty and added burdens to deal activity, contrasting with previous voluntary approval options [5].