NextDC, Australia’s largest listed data centre operator, has confirmed that Goodman Group and Digital Realty conducted an aftermarket raid to acquire a 9.9% stake in the company for A$730m (€452m).
The acquisition was executed through Ackland Investments No 1 Trust, an equally-owned vehicle formed by Goodman and its US-based partner.
The consortium bought NextDC shares at A$9.50 per share, representing a 45.5% premium to the stock’s closing price of A$6.35.
NextDC said the parties indicated to investors through their broker that they have no intention of submitting a control proposal or making a takeover bid at this time, though they reserve the right to do so in future.
In a statement, the NextDC board described the transaction as an “opportunistic move by Goodman and Digital Realty”, coming two weeks after the company’s announcement of a power delay at its M3 Melbourne facility and a revised fiscal 2027 guidance.
The share raid was conducted via an aftermarket bookbuild open exclusively to institutional investors.
NextDC said no formal takeover proposal has been received, adding that “any bona fide approaches will be considered by the board on their merits and in the best interests of all NextDC shareholders”.
NextDC, which counts La Caisse and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board among its backing investors, operates 18 data centres across Australia and Asia, with a further six to seven development projects in its pipeline.
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