Real estate investment firm Kennedy-Wilson KW-N said on Tuesday it will be acquired by a consortium led by its CEO William McMorrow and Fairfax Financial FFH-T for about US$1.5-billion.
The consortium will acquire all remaining shares for US$10.90 each in cash, a sweetened offer from the previous US$10.25 in November, representing a 10.2-per-cent premium to the stock’s last close.
Kennedy-Wilson shares rose 10.1 per cent to US$10.9 in premarket trading.
In November, the consortium said that private ownership would reduce the cost and administrative burden of being publicly listed, allowing management to focus on its strategy.
Once the deal closes, anticipated in the second quarter of 2026, Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa’s Fairfax will have a majority economic interest in Kennedy-Wilson, while the CEO-led KW Management Group will retain operational control.
Latham & Watkins and Ropes & Gray are serving as legal advisors to Kennedy-Wilson for the transaction.