☕️ Cause for (a)Llama

Good morning.

Llamas have become the unofficial mascot for open-source AI.

Thanks to Meta’s product, Large Language Model Meta AI, shortened to Llama, demand for the exotic animals to appear at AI events has surged dramatically. A llama owner from California told Bloomberg that he won’t take his beloved creatures to AI parties anymore out of concern for their welfare.

While we’re more than ready for a new animal to front the tech scene’s latest craze, after Dogecoin’s shiba inu and the bored ape NFT, we wouldn’t be entirely surprised if a llama were to ‘spit in the face’ of too much facetime with overzealous tech bros – so to speak.

🏆 LOI Subscriber #TBD

Market movers

Shares in SkyCity surged over 6% during trading on Thursday, after the casino operator posted an update on its Austrac proceedings, signalling that the parties have come to an agreement. SkyCity increased the amount it will set aside for the penalty from $45 million to $73 million. The legal proceedings were announced in 2022 after Austrac found systemic failures in SKC’s anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing obligations.

The quick sync

• Afterpay’s future has been called into question by former employees following a botched integration with Block and culture clashes. (Capital Brief)

• Nvidia is taking orders for its new China-focused AI chip, and is pricing it on par with its product rival from Huawei. (Reuters)

• Australian ‘aquapreneurs’ gain global attention as water startups attract climate tech funding. (Capital Brief)

• The Productivity Commission is calling for light-touch AI regulation to avoid stifling the technology’s potential. (Capital Brief)

• The Bank of England held rates steady at 5.25%, saying it wants to see more evidence of falling inflation before implementing cuts. (Financial Times)

• Swiss bank Julius Baer profits tumbled 52% following write off of its US$700 million exposure to the embattled Signa group, prompting a CEO resignation and closure of its private debt business. (Financial Times)

• Shell has raised its dividends and announced another share buyback round after posting 2023 profits that topped US$28 billion. (Reuters)

• Musk wants to move Tesla’s incorporation from Delaware to Texas after he was ordered to give up his US$55.8b compensation package. (Wall Stret Journal)

• Ex-PwC partner sues firm over retirement payments, which were cut off after he was named in the consultancy’s recent tax leak scandal. (AFR)

Trading floor

M&A

• Metcash issues trading halt amid talks to buy Quadrant's Superior Food Group, valued at $500m. (AFR)

• Loscam mulls new sale attempt after testing buyer interest. (The Australian)

• Melbourne's EastLink owners set new requirements for potential buyers. (AFR)

• The Whisky List, Australia's largest online-only whisky retailer, has acquired The Whisky Show. (BNA)

• DataRoom reveals Marubeni as FleetPartners Group‘s mystery suitor. (The Australian)

• Glow Capital has partnered with Ecommerce Equation. (AFR)

• ChangeGPS has been acquired by UK-based The Access Group after almost four years of growth. (BNA)

• Pacific Smiles potential buyout faces headwinds as it struggles to secure shareholder approval. (The Australian)

• Metrics launches Asia roadshow for its $6.8b debt fund, Diversified Australian Senior Loan Fund. (AFR)

Capital Markets

• BCI Minerals initiates a $315m equity raise through an accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer and placement. (AFR)

• TPG Telecom plans to relist non-fibre mobile assets; assessing capital options. (The Australian)

• Accolade Wines set for recapitalisation deal with consortium partners. (AFR)

VC

• Amber Electric raises $29m in Series C, led by Gentrack, for global expansion. (Smart Company)

• FinTech Australia will host reverse pitch with ANZ, Westpac, and 1835i on February 21. (Startup Daily)

People moves

• Scott Hartley is tipped to succeed Renato Mota as Insignia Financial CEO. (AFR)

• Bapcor appoints Paul Dumbrell as the new CEO, succeeding Noel Meehan effective February 5. (Capital Brief)

• Barclays Australia CEO appoints Pratik Shinde as new head of corporate banking. (AFR)

Together with Wilsons Advisory

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The watercooler