For deal-making firms, Thursday was the day the coronavirus really took hold. At 1am today King & Wood Mallesons chief executive partner Berkeley Cox sent around an email alerting lawyers to the fact that its Sydney office would remain closed due to coronavirus fears. Others forced to shut up shop or change work arrangements included stockbroker Bell Potter, Norton Rose Fulbright, EY, Vanguard and Jones Day. And that wasn't all. Tonight Street Talk can reveal Wall Street giant Morgan Stanley has kicked off its split trading plans and Credit Suisse isn't far behind.
Meanwhile, infrastructure investment group Plenary has reached a deal with a Canadian pension fund to sell its North American operations. We've got the details.
Finally, we provide updates on two different logistics sales and here's a preview: one is going full steam ahead and the other has been iced.
Oh, and we're back watching out for "rockstar banker" slash teflon man Matthew Grounds.
Happy reading, Sarah Thompson, Anthony Macdonald and Tim Boyd
Wall Street giant Morgan Stanley has fired up two back-up trading sites to ensure its securities and trading units can operate as normal in coming weeks.
