Approach for Appen; AGL Energy’s vote kingmakers; NAB’s big bond deal

Good evening,

The sell-off in technology stocks is finally printing some business for dealmakers.

Street Talk has spotted Appen’s board quietly sitting on a $1 billion-odd approach from an overseas suitor.

It was once a market darling, but investors have watched the share price go backwards for nearly a year and a half, even when the recent results were good.

Appen has called in Barrenjoey to spruce up its defence. It would be interesting to see at what price the board is willing to talk, after a seething 42.6 per cent slide in shares this year.

Elsewhere, we have our hands on AGL Energy’s register and the names who would decide its demerger vote, and NAB has done a big bond deal.

Happy reading,

Anthony Macdonald, Sarah Thompson and Kanika Sood
Street Talk Editors