KKR & Co is to acquire a 24.9 per cent interest in Marshall Wace through a combination of cash and common units. In addition, KKR and Marshall Wace have the option to grow KKR’s ownership interest over time to 39.9 per cent.
Founded in 1997 by Paul Marshall and Ian Wace, Marshall Wace has over USD22 billion of assets under management as of August 1, 2015, predominantly in equity long/short strategies. Marshall Wace has an excellent 17-year track record of innovation and investment success, consistently delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns that have low correlation to the overall markets. In addition, the firm has a growing marketplace lending business called MW Eaglewood that specializes in direct lending and peer-to-peer investment strategies.
The strategic partnership is predicated on the firms’ strong traditions of investing expertise, innovation and entrepreneurship and cultural alignment. The collaboration will enhance the firms’ existing product suites and, over time, enable the joint development of innovative new products to better serve clients.
Ian Wace (pictured), Chief Executive of Marshall Wace, says: “Over the last few years, we have been approached by several firms looking to invest in our business, but KKR offered something different: a true, long-term partnership. While our core operations and investment process will not change, we believe we will be able to build on the complementary relationships and skills of both firms to meet our clients’ evolving investment requirements.”
Scott Nuttall, Member of KKR and Head of Global Capital and Asset Management, said, "We believe Marshall Wace has built a premier franchise within the liquid alternatives space, and the firm has an entrepreneurial DNA and a culture that is similar to KKR’s. This is an important step for both of our firms and the beginning of a long-term partnership.”
Hedge fund assets, now at USD3 trillion globally, are the largest part of the alternative asset management industry. The more liquid component of the hedge fund market, or liquid alternatives, is now USD1.4 trillion and has grown at a 17 per cent annualised rate since 1990, according to data from Hedge Fund Research, and this growth is expected to continue. Combining KKR and Marshall Wace’s investment acumen, distribution network and geographic footprints will allow for innovative product development and enable both firms to further meet client needs in this high-growth area.
Johannes Huth, Member and Head of KKR Europe, Africa and Middle East, says: “Marshall Wace has an excellent track record, delivering time and again for investors. Combining the skills of both firms will enhance our ability to deliver for new and existing clients.”
Upon close, the existing management team of Marshall Wace will continue to manage its business independently as it does today. All capital partners have signed long-term agreements, and Marshall Wace’s investment strategies will remain unchanged. In addition, the vast majority of the proceeds received by the sellers at closing will be reinvested in Marshall Wace’s funds and held in KKR common units.
Substantially all of Marshall Wace’s USD22 billion in assets are subject to management and incentive fees. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to KKR’s after-tax Total Distributable Earnings per unit and after-tax Economic Net Income per unit.
The transaction is expected to close later this year and is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
