UPDATE 2-Singapore Post in exclusive talks for Australia business sale

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Nov 26 (Reuters) - Singapore Post Ltd said on Tuesday it was in exclusive talks with a third party for a potential sale of its Australia business, while stating that no definitive deal has been reached.

The company's Australia segment includes fourth-party logistics services, third-party logistics solutions including transportation and distribution, and last-mile courier delivery, as well as warehousing services.

Singapore Post had embarked on a restructuring process in May 2023, in a bid to bring back capital returns to shareholders.

The company bolstered its Australian presence in 2021 by increasing its stake in Freight Management Holdings, a last-mile parcel delivery service.

Continuing its expansion over the next three years, the Alibaba-backed company notably acquired Border Express, a pallet and parcel distribution operator, for A$210 million in November, further strengthening its position in the Australian logistics market.

Singapore Post's Australian business had posted a revenue of S$574.8 million ($426.9 million) in the half year ending Sept 30, up from S$398.8 mln a year earlier.

Shares of the company, which has gained over 15% so far this year, closed 0.9% higher at S$0.555 as of 1139 GMT. ($1 = 1.3465 Singapore dollars) (Reporting by Roshan Thomas in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)