Australia’s Reliance Worldwide agrees to Brookfield’s $2.9 billion buyout bid

SYDNEY Sept 16 (Reuters) – Australia’s Reliance Worldwide will back an almost $2.9 billion buyout from global investment firm Brookfield, it said on Wednesday, as the plumbing supplies company confronts the ongoing impact of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty.

Shares of Reliance jumped more than 7% in early trade on Wednesday to A$4.65 as of 0015 GMT, their highest level since May last year. The stock later pared gains to close almost 3.5% higher to A$A4.48, outperforming the S&P/ASX200 index’s 0.3% rise.

Reliance said Brookfield had elected to switch its offer to dollars, with a bid of $3.38 per share, equivalent to the A$4.75 offer made in August. Investors can choose to be paid in dollars or Australian dollars if the deal proceeds and is approved by shareholders, Reliance said.

“The board is unanimous in its view that this transaction is in the best interests of RWC shareholders,” said Reliance Worldwide Chair Russell Chenu in a statement.

LARGE PENSION FUNDS COULD DETERMINE APPROVAL

Two of Australia’s largest pension funds, AustralianSuper and Aware Super, own about 20.2% of Reliance and will have a major say in the deal’s approval. AustralianSuper declined to comment on whether the Brookfield bid would be supported. Aware Super did not respond to a request for comment.

AustralianSuper voted against Brookfield’s $10.6 billion bid for Origin Energy in 2023 which was ultimately rejected by investors.

Reliance depends on North America for the majority of its profits, where CEO Heath Sharp said the business’s prospects had been hard hit by tariffs.

The company’s Americas sales slipped 4% in its 2026 financial year, while adjusted operating earnings fell more than 11% due to the impact of U.S. tariffs, lower volumes and higher input costs.

Brookfield made three approaches in the first half of the year before returning in August with a fourth, worth A$4.75 a share.

The companies had agreed to a “Go Shop” provision, unusual in Australian deals, that allows Reliance Worldwide to seek rival bids, share due-diligence materials and negotiate terms. Brookfield has the right to at least match any new offer.

(Reporting by Scott Murdoch in Sydney, Sneha Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu, Muralikumar Anantharaman and Barbara Lewis)