Capital Brief

Skip to content Printed by for personal, non-commercial use only. For other rights, contact licensing@capitalbrief.com. Plus: Iran ramps up Hormuz attacks; Wall Street bull run continues; tech stocks to drive earnings; China and EU strike a deal on hybrids. Already a subscriber? Sign in Choose plan (Required) Let me know about Capital Brief updates and subscription offers. or pay with credit card Even battle-hardened ASX veterans are baffled by Firmus’ aborted float.

Make us a preferred source Make us a preferred source on Google 5:27pm on 9 October 2026 The news: The ASX will oppose an attempt by one of its shareholders, Rosherville, to sue the bourse operator’s former directors and officers in the Federal Court. Rosherville is looking to sue directors and officers it alleges breached certain duties in connection with the failed CHESS project. There are no allegations made against ASX.

Even battle-hardened ASX veterans are baffled by Firmus’ aborted float. But behind the hype, the warning signs had been building for months. Firmus’ float is off, but the questions remain. AAP Image/Dean Lewins. Already a subscriber? Sign in Choose plan (Required) Let me know about Capital Brief updates and subscription offers. or pay with credit card The abandoned float has left the ASX without a landmark listing for 2026, but investors are divided on whether that’s a bad thing.

The abandoned float has left the ASX without a landmark listing for 2026, but investors are divided on whether that’s a bad thing. Firmus co-founder and co-CEO Oliver Curtis (left) unveiling plans in South Australia. Firmus/LinkedIn. The sensational implosion of the biggest Australian IPO in 30 years has prompted an inevitable outpouring of opinions from the local investment community, with many cheering the demise of Oliver Curtis’ divisive AI infrastructure business.

Briefing Lifestyle Losses Make us a preferred source Make us a preferred source on Google 1:14pm on 9 October 2026 The news: Shares in Lifestyle Communities tumbled in afternoon trade after the retirement residential developer reported a 22% drop in new home settlements for the September quarter, driven by softer residential property market. Shares fell 5.1% to $4.02 at 12:46pm AEDT.

Yet despite this apparent democratisation of product development, and Australian VC investment hitting a blistering $3.5 billion in H1 2026, deal counts are falling. Investors are either getting pickier about where they place their bets or not finding what they’re looking for. So if not MVP, what gets a founder funded? Rapid execution certainly plays a part, but so do operational rigour and economic discipline.

While card payments make up a small percentage of overall tax transactions, many small businesses use them to manage their cashflow. The Coalition had promised to introduce laws on Monday, reversing the ATO’s card payment ban. What they said: “The government will provide transitional funding so the ATO can continue accepting credit card transactions until the end of the financial year, with costs to be finalised in MYEFO,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in a statement.

Make us a preferred source Make us a preferred source on Google 11:03am on 9 October 2026 The news: Monash IVF has appointed Matt Harrington as its chief financial officer, effective 4 January 2027, succeeding interim CFO Birol Akdogan. The context: Harrington has over 20 years’ experience in senior finance and commercial leadership roles both domestically and internationally. He previously served as CFO of Australian Unity and AustralianSuper.

Make us a preferred source Make us a preferred source on Google 10:31am on 9 October 2026 The news: Construction company Maas Group has entered a trading pause after Firmus, which the company holds a 3.2% stake in, withdrew its application to list on the ASX. The stock last closed 28.2% lower at $4.96 per share as media reports tracked the fate of the IPO.

Make us a preferred source Make us a preferred source on Google 10:28am on 9 October 2026 The news: Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has secured a $700 million contract with the government of an undisclosed Middle Eastern Gulf state to supply a nationwide counter-drone defence system.