Aston Martin owners might be looking at sale or IPO

Aston Martin’s current owners have reportedly hired investment bank Lazard to prepare for an initial public offering (IPO). The investors are also looking at the possibility of a sale of the British sports car brand.

An IPO seems more likely and it could be launched in the third or fourth quarter of 2018. Furthermore, the brand could be valued at between US $2.6 billion to US $4 billion. 

Investindustrial - an Italian private equity fund bought 37.5% stake in Aston Martin back in 2012. In addition to that, a group of Kuwaiti investors currently holds a 54.5% stake in the company, while Daimler holds a 5% stake. Neither have come out and confirmed these reports.

Since Andy Palmer took over as the CEO of Aston Martin in 2014, the brand has seen a steady growth in sales. This year, the company is set to post its first annual pre-tax profit since 2010. If the reports of an IPO are true, then it could be seen as an attempt by the investors to cash in on this recovery.

Source: Reuters