TD Cowen maintained a bullish stance on Ares Management, L.P. (NYSE: NYSE:ARES), reiterating a Buy rating and a $162.00 price target. The firm's confidence in Ares Management remains stable following the announcement of the acquisition of Walton Street Mexico (WSM), a transaction that is anticipated to conclude in the fourth quarter of 2024. The addition of WSM is expected to enhance Ares Management's portfolio with approximately $2 billion in industrial real estate assets.
The acquisition of WSM by Ares Management is set to be immediately beneficial to the company's earnings. This move comes as somewhat unexpected timing, given the prevailing anticipation for a potential partnership with GLP. Nonetheless, TD Cowen signals that the WSM deal may not be the only significant activity on Ares Management's horizon.
The deal is a strategic expansion for Ares Management, showcasing the company's ongoing growth in the real estate sector.
While the WSM acquisition may have come as a surprise to some market observers, TD Cowen emphasizes that this transaction should not be seen as the limit of Ares Management's expansion plans. The firm suggests that additional developments may be forthcoming, indicating a broader strategy at play.
TD Cowen's reaffirmation of the Buy rating and price target for Ares Management reflects a positive outlook on the company's growth trajectory and strategic acquisitions. The market will be watching closely as the WSM deal progresses towards its expected closure in the latter part of 2024.
Ares Management Corporation has acquired Walton Street Capital Mexico, a real estate asset management company. The acquisition, which involves assets worth approximately $2.1 billion, is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024 and immediately enhance Ares' after-tax realized income per share.
Financial research firm CFRA has raised its price target for Ares to $170 based on the expanding private credit market. Ares reported an 18% year-over-year increase in total assets under management, reaching $447.2 billion in the second quarter of 2024. The firm also announced a third-quarter common dividend of $0.93 per share, a 21% increase from the previous year.
The National Football League approved private equity firms, including Ares Management, to acquire up to 10% stakes in its teams.
Other recent developments include Automated Industrial Robotics Inc.'s acquisition of UK-based Sewtec Automation, funded primarily by a private equity fund managed by Ares Management, and Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H) Corporation's sale of the Hyatt Regency Orlando and an adjacent land parcel for approximately $1.07 billion to RIDA Development Corporation and an Ares Management Real Estate fund.
Analyst firm Redburn-Atlantic initiated coverage on Ares Management with a Neutral rating, while TD Cowen raised its price target for the company from $158.00 to $162.00.
InvestingPro Insights
As Ares Management (NYSE: ARES) continues to expand its footprint in the industrial real estate sector with the acquisition of Walton Street Mexico, investors are keen to understand the company's financial health and future prospects. According to InvestingPro data, Ares Management has a market capitalization of $48.84 billion and is trading at a high earnings multiple, with a P/E ratio of 79.02. Despite a revenue decline of 11.64% over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, the company maintains a robust gross profit margin of 48.01%.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Ares Management has raised its dividend for 4 consecutive years and has maintained dividend payments for 11 consecutive years, signaling a commitment to returning value to shareholders. Additionally, analysts predict the company will be profitable this year, which aligns with the positive outlook shared by TD Cowen. However, it's worth noting that 11 analysts have revised their earnings downwards for the upcoming period, which could indicate potential headwinds.
For investors seeking more in-depth analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, providing a more comprehensive understanding of Ares Management's financial position and market performance. Visit https://www.investing.com/pro/ARES to explore further insights into Ares Management's investment potential.
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