Ampol Halted After Report of A$1 Billion Petrol Station Deal
The Australian Financial Review, which first reported the potential deal, said talks between the companies had been on and off for more than 12 months. EG owns over 500 outlets across Australia, which Ampol supplies with fuel, according to its website.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Is XRP About to Hit a New All-Time High?
Key Points XRP's price is near its all-time high, which it made recently. It's smarter to focus on its avenues for generating value. XRP just made an acquisition that's likely to be fruitful for that purpose. 10 stocks we like better than XRP › If you have ever hiked a mountain with a few false summits, you know the moment: You crest the ridge, take in the view, then notice a slightly higher peak ahead. That's where XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) might be today. On July 18, XRP marked a fresh all-time high of about $3.65, and the coin has gained 440% during the past 12 months. That makes the idea of doing the same thing again less of a fantasy and more of a reasonable scenario for investors to weigh, especially if the tailwinds supporting the coin's price continue or even accelerate. Let's consider the coin's chances of beating its prior record price. Why another new high is very plausible in the near term The coin making new highs might grab headlines, but long-term compounding comes from utility and adoption. Ripple, the company that issues XRP, is building the payments and liquidity stack around XRP in ways that can add durable demand. Its U.S. dollar stablecoin launched in December 2024, and crossed $642 million outstanding this summer, a helpful on-chain base layer for payments and settlement. The company also agreed to acquire Rail, a stablecoin-focused payments platform, for roughly $200 million, signaling a faster push to enterprise payment flows that can use XRP. The purchase should close sometime in the fourth quarter. As the XRP Ledger (XRPL) becomes more of a destination for hosting stablecoins and applications that use them, the total value stored on the chain will increase, pumping up the price of its native token, XRP. Importantly, Ripple's control of the issuance of its stablecoin effectively means that it can inject liquidity directly into the ecosystem of its chain whenever it wants. As more institutional investors onboard, Ripple will be pushing that button more frequently, as holders of large sums of capital will be attracted by the ability to do on-chain transactions in the size they prefer. That won't be the only driver of higher prices for XRP. XRPL is intentionally built for financial institutions that need compliance-friendly money movement and asset issuance. That design shows up in the network's feature set, which is slated to continue expanding. Today, asset issuers can require authorization before their tokens are held, freeze assets at the issuer level when legal obligations demand it, and generally enforce transfer restrictions without a duct-taped tangle of smart contracts. Those are the controls that banks and asset managers look for when they consider moving real value on-chain. So between significantly shoring up its stablecoin platform and building out the chain's technology, XRP is very likely to continue climbing in the near term as financial operators look to find safe and compliance-friendly places for their capital. What actually matters for investors from here What could go wrong to prevent XRP from reaching a new high? Quite a bit. The exchange-traded fund (ETF) approvals anticipated for later this year could slip, especially if regulatory priorities change. Competition from other chains, particularly Ethereum (and, to a lesser extent, Solana) remains fierce in key segments like stablecoins and payments tooling, where network effects and developer mindshare are meaningful advantages XRP is still working to attain. Therefore, the smarter move here is not to waste time thinking about whether the coin can surpass its former all-time high. Rather, focus on whether the odds are improving that XRP's utility and capital base will be larger in 12 to 36 months. Based on the evidence, that second proposition looks extremely likely. That's before even taking into account other favorable dimensions, like the bullish macro environment or Ripple's receding legal issues. If you are building a position in XRP, the price at the high water mark is less important than your conviction that the next few highs will be driven by growing usage. Accumulate it gradually, and size your positions so that delays or setbacks in the chain's roadmap don't lead you to sell on emotion. Lastly, be sure to keep your eye on the boring metrics that actually matter, like on-ledger assets, institutional partnerships that move real payments, and tangible regulatory wins. Should you buy stock in XRP right now? Before you buy stock in XRP, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and XRP wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $668,155!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,106,071!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,070% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 184% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 13, 2025 Alex Carchidi has positions in Ethereum and Solana. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Ethereum, Solana, and XRP. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is XRP About to Hit a New All-Time High? was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
10 hours ago
- Associated Press
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations License Optimisation Service Delivering Up to 50 Percent Cost Reduction While Strengthening Enterprise Securite
Brisbane-based DSS has launched an enhanced Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (F&O) License Optimisation Service, designed to reduce licensing costs by up to 50% while bolstering enterprise security. BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESS Newswire / August 16, 2025 / Dynamics Security Solutions Pty Ltd (DSS), a specialist Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations and Dynamics AX consultancy, today announced significant enhancements to their demonstrated license cost optimization service alongside expanded security auditing capabilities. The comprehensive solution addresses two critical pain points plaguing large enterprises: excessive Microsoft D365 F&O licensing costs and inadequate security governance. After spending the better part of two decades in corporate finance and systems management - from multinational operations to enterprise-scale implementations - I've witnessed first-hand how organisations consistently overpay for software licenses whilst simultaneously creating security vulnerabilities. What started as a personal mission to help businesses operate more efficiently has evolved into a systematic approach that's delivering impressive outcomes across industries. 'It's really a straightforward decision,' says Paul Belan, co-founder of DSS. 'We're seeing companies throw tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually at licenses they simply don't need, whilst unknowingly exposing themselves to serious security risks. The irony is that fixing both problems simultaneously is far more straightforward than most executives realise.' The Problem: Hidden Costs and Overlooked Risks DSS research indicates that up to 80% of large enterprises running Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations or older Dynamics AX versions are overspending on user licenses by 20-50%. The culprit? Bloated role assignments, dormant accounts, and a fundamental misunderstanding of how Microsoft's licensing structure actually works. 'What we consistently find - and this genuinely surprised me early on - is that most organizations assign users to premium roles as a 'just in case' measure,' Belan explains. 'A finance manager gets full system access when they really only need accounts payable functionality. It's like buying a Formula 1 car for the school run.' Compounding this waste is the security risk. Excessive permissions don't just cost more - they create potential pathways for deception, data breaches, and compliance failures. The DSS Solution: Precision Without Compromise DSS has developed a four-tier service framework that tackles both cost optimization and security enhancement: Tailored User License Cost Reduction Service The cornerstone offering conducts a comprehensive role analysis to eliminate unnecessary high-tier licenses. Working exclusively in non-production environments initially, DSS maps actual user requirements against assigned permissions, then redesigns role structures to reflect genuine business needs. Dormant User Account & License Audit This complementary service identifies inactive accounts that continue incurring annual licensing fees - often overlooked during standard reviews. DSS provides recommendations for improved user lifecycle management moving forward. Role Extension Pack Purpose-built custom security roles targeting specific modules or responsibilities without overprovisioning. These include management access roles for senior staff, view-only roles for auditors and consultants, and workflow administrator roles for issue resolution. Security Health Check An in-depth audit identifying vulnerabilities, control gaps, and deception exposure, complete with actionable security improvement roadmaps and ongoing monitoring frameworks. Safe and Secure Implementation What sets DSS apart is their unique assurance structure. 'We don't get paid unless we deliver measurable savings,' Belan states. 'And we never touch production data relating to master or transactional data. Updates are completed without disrupting any business operations. It's all about proving value before asking for investment.' The DSS methodology ensures: Demonstrated Results Across Industries Early adopters report: 'The outcomes are self-evident,' notes Belan. 'From retail chains to not-for-profit organizations, we're consistently delivering substantial savings whilst simultaneously strengthening security frameworks. It's the kind of outcome that makes finance directors smile and IT managers sleep better.' About Dynamics Security Solutions Co-founded by Paul Belan, a veteran of corporate finance and enterprise systems management with executive education from Columbia University, DSS specialises in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations optimization, as well as supporting older versions of Dynamics AX. Based in Brisbane, Australia, the company serves large enterprises globally, focusing on cost reduction and security enhancement without operational risk. DSS's unique approach combines deep technical expertise with real-world business exposure, developed through decades of multinational enterprise experience. The company's mission centres on helping organizations operate more efficiently whilst maintaining the highest security standards. Availability and Next Steps The DSS license optimization and security enhancement service is available immediately for organizations running Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations or older versions of Dynamics AX. Initial consultations are provided at no cost, with detailed savings projections delivered within 48 hours of security configuration review. 'Instead of guessing, you can be certain,' concludes Belan. 'Every organization deserves to understand exactly what they're paying for and whether they're adequately protected. We make that crystal clear.' Media Contact Organization: Dynamics Security Solutions Pty Ltd Contact Person Name: Pavel Belan Website: Email: [email protected] City: Brisbane Country: Australia SOURCE: Dynamics Security Solutions Pty Ltd press release
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tamboran Resources Corporation (TBN) Signs Agreement With Native Title Holders and NLC To Sell Appraisal Gas From Shenandoah South Pilot in Beetaloo Basin
Tamboran Resources Corporation (NYSE:TBN) is among the 12 Best Australian Stocks to Buy Right Now. According to reports on Sky News, the company has secured a vital agreement with Native Title Holders and Northern Land Council (NLC) to sell appraisal gas from its Shenandoah South Pilot in the Beetaloo Basin. An industrial facility emitting natural gas from large pipes, with workers in the foreground. The gas field, located about 500 km south of Darwin, is roughly the size of Belgium. Analysts believe the historic agreement is expected to help meet Australia's domestic energy needs for well over 200 years. The NLC has described the deal with Tamboran Resources Corporation (NYSE:TBN) as significant for economic growth in the Northern Territory and added that it would help administer the agreement to ensure the company meets its obligations. 'The NLC supports the native title holders' decision to negotiate with Tamboran and supports the outcomes of the negotiations. This agreement means jobs and money for native title holders. The NLC will continue to help to administer the agreement on behalf of native title holders to make sure Tamboran meets its obligations in the Agreement.' Tamboran Resources Corporation (NYSE:TBN) is a natural gas company focused on the development of unconventional gas resources in Australia's Northern Territory. While we acknowledge the potential of TBN as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 11 Best Large Cap Defense Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 10 Best Low Priced Defense Stocks to Buy Now. Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
