ASX mid-caps attract rising takeover interest, Pendal says

• Australian mid-caps are attracting increased takeover interest as cyclical valuation pressures, operational weaknesses and regulatory changes create acquisition opportunities.
• Reliance Worldwide accepted Brookfield's $4.1 billion bid following earnings pressure from US housing weakness and materials inflation.
• Cleanaway agreed to EQT's $9.3 billion takeover, a 34.5% premium to its three-month volume-weighted average price through August 12, 2026.
• Daiichi Life's $7.8 billion bid for Challenger highlights international interest in Australia's annuities market.
• APRA's mid-2026 capital reforms made annuities less capital-intensive, aligning requirements with global standards and increasing the market's appeal to international buyers.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Pendal Group Limited published the original content used to generate this news brief on October 28, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.