Ares Management Corporation announced today that a subsidiary of Ares has entered into a definitive agreement with a subsidiary of BrightSphere Investment Group Inc. and Landmark Investment Holdings LP to acquire 100% of Landmark Partners, LLC, one of the largest and most experienced investors in acquiring secondary private fund ownership stakes in the alternative asset management industry. The transaction is valued at $1.08 billion, including approximately $787 million in cash and approximately $293 million in Ares Operating Group Units, in each case subject to certain adjustments.
“The acquisition of Landmark is not only highly strategic, but it is also expected to be immediately financially accretive to Ares’ core earnings metrics, including after-tax realized income per common share, and it should be a meaningful driver of our growth in the years ahead,” said Michael McFerran, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Ares. “In addition, the transaction is expected to be accretive to our fee related earnings margins and further enhances our fee related earnings composition within our realized income.”
“As alternative assets continue to gain share, we believe growth in the secondaries market should also continue to accelerate,” said Timothy Haviland, President and Managing Partner of Landmark Partners. “We are excited to enhance and expand our already strong market position as a new investment group within the broader Ares platform. Our approach and processes are culturally similar to Ares’ and we look forward to building on key sourcing, relative value and structuring advantages as well as unlocking new growth opportunities.”
Source: Business Wire