Shares of NextDC Ltd. soared 48% on Thursday, their biggest one-day gain in years, after Australian property giant Goodman Group and U.S.-listed Digital Realty Trust moved overnight to buy up to almost 10% of the data center operator at a steep premium.

NextDC shares rose A$3.14 to close at A$9.67, after trading between A$9.07 and A$9.77. About 79.2 million shares changed hands, an extraordinary volume for the stock, and the rally lifted the company's market value to roughly A$7.3 billion.

NextDC was the top performer on the benchmark index, rising 48.24%, on a day when the S&P/ASX 200 closed up 2.61% at 9,065.1 points.

The overnight share raid

The surge followed an unexpected move after Wednesday's close. NextDC said it had noted an aftermarket share raid by Ackland Investments No.1 Pty Limited, a trust vehicle owned in equal shares by Goodman Group and Digital Realty Trust.

The two companies sought to acquire up to 9.9% of NextDC's shares at A$9.50 apiece, a 45.5% premium to the previous close of A$6.53. Reuters, citing a........

© International Business Times