Alinta-AGL merger to happen in two weeks -

The $6.8 billion merger of West Australian utility Alinta and The Australian Gas Light Company (AGL) will be implemented in the next two weeks.
The deal became legally effective after the companies lodged Federal court orders approving their respective schemes of arrangement with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
The transaction, under which Alinta will pick up AGL's infrastructure business and AGL will secure a 33 per cent stake in Alinta's WA retail and co-generation business, will be implemented on October 25.
Shareholders of both companies endorsed the merger at separate meetings last week ahead of Federal Court approval this week.
The merger follows a drawn-out battle between the two companies, after each launched a hostile bid for the other.
But a shadow still hangs over a 26 per cent stake in Australian Pipeline Trust (APT), which Alinta will inherit from AGL as part of the merger.
Alinta had bought a 10.25 per cent stake in APT on market before the merger was finalised.
The Takeovers Panel later ordered Alinta to sell the stake, a decision it is contesting in the Federal Court.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Council (ACCC) backed the Panel's decision, saying it was concerned about reduced competition in the industry.
By 1507 AEST, Alinta shares were down six cents to $11.07 while AGL was down 45 cents to $21.50.