Daily Roundup

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Woodside Expands Louisiana LNG Project with Stonepeak Partnership

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) has announced an exciting new partnership that will significantly advance its Louisiana LNG project. The company has entered into a binding agreement with Stonepeak, a global investment firm, to sell a 40% stake in the project.

Under the deal, Stonepeak will provide a staggering $5.7 billion towards the project's capital expenditure, covering 75% of the costs in both 2025 and 2026. This not only reduces Woodside's financial burden but also enhances the overall project economics, strengthening the company's cash flow profile ahead of revenues from its Scarborough Energy Project in Australia.

Woodside CEO Meg O'Neill welcomed Stonepeak to the Louisiana LNG project, stating that the partnership, combined with the existing regulatory permits and a lump sum turnkey EPC agreement with Bechtel, gives the company confidence to progress rapidly towards a final investment decision.

WT Financial Group Joins Forces with Merchant Wealth Partners

In another significant announcement, WT Financial Group Ltd (ASX: WTL) has unveiled a joint venture with Merchant Wealth Partners to establish Investco, a new entity that will provide strategic growth capital to high-potential financial advice practices across Australia.

Investco's first investment will unite three existing practices - Titan Financial Planning, Darwin Financial & Retirement Services, and Wealth Connect Financial Services - into a consolidated "Hubco" entity. This move will leverage the operational capabilities of each founding practice and explore further acquisition and shared service opportunities.

WT Financial Group CEO Keith Cullen has been appointed as Investco's Managing Director, while Merchant partner David Haintz, AM, will serve as Executive Director. This partnership represents a significant opportunity for WT Financial Group to play a pivotal role in the consolidation of the Australian wealth management industry.

Challenger Welcomes TAL Dai-ichi Life as Minority Shareholder

Challenger Limited (ASX: CGF) has announced that its Australian subsidiary, TAL Dai-ichi Life Australia Pty Limited, has agreed to acquire a 15.1% minority stake in the company from MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. at a price of A$8.46 per share, representing a 53% premium.

This strategic move strengthens Challenger's existing partnership with MS Primary, which has created significant shared value over the last decade. TAL's investment reflects its long-term commitment to the retirement income solutions sector, where it expects to benefit from the anticipated market growth in Australia.

Horizon Oil Hedges Against Oil Price Volatility

Horizon Oil Limited (ASX: HZN) has implemented oil hedging measures to protect its corporate cashflows from oil price volatility. The company has put in place 180,000 barrels of dated Brent swaps at a weighted average price of approximately US$71 per barrel, covering the period from May 2025 to December 2025.

Additionally, Horizon Oil advises that the majority of its Mereenie gas production is currently sold under fixed price gas contracts, shielding the company from near-term fluctuations in commodity prices.

Aerometrex Secures LiDAR Contract with Queensland Government

Aerometrex Limited (ASX: AMX) has announced a material $0.875 million LiDAR contract with the Queensland Government Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development. The project, expected to be completed in 2025, includes the acquisition and delivery of high-accuracy Airborne LiDAR, Concurrent Aerial Imagery, and Elevation datasets across south-west Queensland.

This contract, which is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, builds on Aerometrex's ongoing relationship with the Queensland Government.