SHARES of The Straits Trading Company surged on Thursday morning after it was reported that ESR Cayman was acquiring 100 per cent of the share capital of ARA Asset Management for US$5.2 billion.

 

Straits Trading, which holds 18.97 per cent in the integrated real estate fund manager, had separately announced before the market opened that it will receive US$845.3 million in a combination of cash, shares of Hong Kong-listed ESR and vendor loan notes upon completion of the transaction.

 

As at 9.05am, shares of the conglomerate had risen 15.9 per cent or S$0.45 to S$3.28, its highest level in the year to date. The counter later eased to trade S$0.38 or 13.4 per cent higher at S$3.21 by 10.58 am.

 

No married deals were recorded in early trade, according to ShareInvestor data.

 

Following ESR' s acquisition of ARA Asset Management, the latter' s business will be merged into the enlarged ESR group and the combined entity will have a combined asset under management (AUM) of US$129 billion, which will make it the world' s third-largest listed real estate asset manager.

 

ARA co-founder and deputy chairman John Lim, together with a representative from CK Asset Holdings, will also be appointed to ESR' s board of directors.