THE NEWS WRAP: Billabong embraces rival consortium, walks away from Altamont

Surfwear giant Billabong is walking away from a $325 million refinancing deal from Altamont Capital, instead accepting a rival bid from Centerbridge Partners and Oaktree Capital Management.

The new arrangement will see Billabong repay a $315 million bridge loan facility to Altamont along with a $6 million break fee.

The Centerbridge Oaktree offer will see the surfwear retailer gain a six-year senior secured term loan of $386 million, along with a further $135 million through an equity placement.

“This is a turning point for the company,” Billabong chairman Ian Pollard says.

“We’ll now be back focused on business with a clear direction [and] new leadership. I must say, I’m looking forward to it.”

US Federal Reserve’s stimulus announcement causes the Aussie dollar to surge

The US Federal Reserve’s announcement that it will continue its bond-buying stimulus program has caused an unexpected boost to the Australian dollar.

The Aussie dollar recorded its largest single-day rise since 2011 – up US1.5 cents – following the announcement as the ASX 200 surged more than 1.1%.

Stephen Elop’s $US25.5 million Nokia golden parachute

Outgoing Nokia chief executive Stephen Elop is set to receive a €18.8 million ($25.5 million) golden parachute if shareholders agree to sell its mobile phone division to Microsoft.

Elop’s termination agreement is set to include 18 months of his base salary, worth around €4.2 million, along with €14.6 million accelerated vesting of his outstanding equity awards.

The controversial chief executive has been dubbed a “Trojan horse” by sections of the Finnish media.

Overnight

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down to 15636.6. the Aussie dollar is up to US94.40 cents.