NEXTDC shares rise after Goodman and Digital Realty seek stakes

NEXTDC shares rose after Goodman Group and Digital Realty sought to buy stakes of up to 9.9% in the Australian data centre operator. NEXTDC’s board called the move “opportunistic” and said it had received no takeover proposal.

• Goodman Group and Digital Realty sought to buy up to 9.9% of NEXTDC through an aftermarket book build; one report put the deal’s value at about A$715 million.· 2 sources
• NEXTDC’s board described the share purchase as “opportunistic”; the company said it had received no takeover proposal.· 1 source
• Both prospective buyers told investors they had no current intention of making a takeover bid, while reserving the right to do so.· 2 sources
• The share purchase followed NEXTDC’s disclosure of a power delay at its M3 Melbourne site and revised FY27 guidance; the company had also shelved new development projects and land acquisitions.· 1 source
• NEXTDC shares rose sharply on Thursday: one report said they closed up 50.84%, while another reported an early-trade gain of as much as 45.8%.· 2 sources