ConnectEast Group (CEU) earned $553,434 each day in November 2009 on its EastLink tollway, up 25.8% from November 2008, though down 0.3% from October. The toll for November was 5.2% higher than a year ago, with traffic up 19.4%, contributing to the rise. The number of trips each day on the Melbourne tollroad was more than 177,000.
Lend Lease Corporation limited (LLC) said it reviews a range of asset acquisition opportunities from time to time, which currently includes a potential acquisition of the ING Retail Property Funds. The company made the statement in response to speculation in today’s Australian Financial Review regarding the potential acquisition of the fund. Lend Lease said its involvement in the competitive process for the acquisition of the ING Retail Property Fund may or may not lead to a transaction.
Challenger Financial Services Group Limited (CGF) has been added to the S&P/ASX 100 index, replacing Viterra Inc (VTA). S&P Indices also announced several additions and removals to the S&P/ASX 200. The additions were Whitehaven Coal Limited (WHC), Kagara Limited (KZL), Mermaid Marine Australia Limited (MRM), Ardent Leisure Group (AAD), Carsales.Com Limited (CRZ) and Biota Holdings Limited (BTA). They replace Corporate Express Australia Limited (CXP), Nexus Energy Limited (NXS), Molopo Energy Limited (MPO), Astro Japan Property Group (AJA), AJ Lucas Group Limited (AJL) and Eircom Holdings Limited (ERC).
Leighton Holdings Limited (LEI) said its owned carrier Nextgen Networks has been announced as the successful tenderer for the Federal Government’s $250 million Regional Backbone Blackspots Program. The company said the program would put in place key infrastructure for the rollout of the National Broadband Network. The aim of the program is to reduce the cost of broadband services into regional areas. Leighton said it is in an advanced stage of project readiness and well positioned to commence construction activities shortly.
