Afterpay loss widens on higher marketing spend to tap new markets

Afterpay Ltd (APT.AX) said on Wednesday its annual marketing costs more than doubled as it entered new markets to tap a pandemic-driven boom in buy now, pay later (BNPL) services, widening the Australian company’s loss ahead of Square’s buyout.
Sydney Airport rejects improved $16.8 bln buyout bid, open to higher offer

Sydney Airport Holdings Pty Ltd (SYD.AX) on Monday rejected an improved A$22.80 billion ($16.81 billion) bid from a group of infrastructure investors, saying that it undervalued the airport operator, but that it was open to a higher offer.
Australia’s NAB to buy Citi’s local consumer business in $882 mln deal

National Australia Bank (NAB.AX) will buy Citigroup’s (C.N) local consumer unit for about $882.24 million, the companies said Monday, as the American bank exits the region while buy-now, pay-later rivals challenge the old credit card business model.
Australia’s deal boom set to intensify on cheap cash, pandemic confidence -bankers

Australia’s record merger-and-acquisition (M&A) boom can only intensify in the near term as ultra-low interest rates and confidence that the economy will rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to drive deal activity, bankers said.
Australia’s Afterpay to launch banking app in October

Afterpay Ltd (APT.AX) will launch its banking app in October to widen its offerings beyond buy now, pay later (BNPL) services for its 3.5 million-plus Australian users as competition intensifies, the company said on Tuesday.