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Deals & People July 7, 2011
Principal to Acquire Majority Hold in Origin Asset Management
Principal Global Investors, LLC made a definitive agreement
to acquire a 74% stake in Origin Asset Management, LLP for
approximately $66 million.
Reported by Sara Kelly
Origin is a global equity specialist based in London. The acquisition is expected to expand The Principal’s global equity investment capabilities; excluding transaction and integration costs. Principal Financial Group estimates the acquisition will be EPS neutral in 2011 and slightly accretive in 2012.
Origin partners will retain a 26% stake in the business and will be reinvesting a substantial share of their consideration into funds managed by the firm. All passive investors in Origin will sell their entire holdings to The Principal.
The transaction is expected to close in October 2011, pending regulatory approval.
This is the third acquisition announced this year as part of Principal Financial Group’s 2011 capital deployment strategy. The Principal’s Board of Directors also renewed authorization to repurchase up to $250 million of the company’s outstanding common stock in May.
“We are delighted to be entering into this partnership,” said Jim McCaughan, chief executive officer of Principal Global Investors.“Origin’s proven capabilities in managing global equities will be very attractive to our clients and advisers around the world.”