Special Report: Top deal makers

An informal survey of investment bankers and corporate advisers has highlighted Wesfarmers’ $20 billion takeover of Coles Group as the top deal of 2007.

Patersons Securities posted a record $1.26 billion dollars in capital raisings last year, up more than 50 per cent on the previous year and a result that has returned the Perth-based stockbroker to the top position for equity capital raisings during 2007.

Delivering big returns for investors was made to look easy this year by tungsten developer, Wolf Minerals.

Western Australia’s commercial office market notched up almost $1 billion in sales last year, and while some analysts predict the same heights may not be reached in 2008, market fundamentals indicate that strong growth is likely to continue.

The performance of WA's industrial property market during the past 12 months has more than matched the commercial sector, with record sales and rents being generated, although prices are tipped to level out as more supply comes on to the market in 2008.