L&G Sells CALA Group for £1.35 Billion


Legal & General (L&G) has sold its UK housebuilder, CALA Group, for £1.35 billion ($1.78 billion) to an acquisition vehicle led by U.S. firm Sixth Street Partners. This sale aligns with L&G's strategy to streamline its portfolio and concentrate on core businesses. The transaction will provide L&G with £1.16 billion in cash, with £500 million paid at closing and the rest deferred over five years.

The deal, expected to complete in Q4, reflects the shifting dynamics of the UK housing market, where annual house price growth has slowed. L&G shares have faced a decline, trading 2.9% lower amid analyst scrutiny of the sale’s valuation and structure. Some analysts view the deal as being at the high end of market expectations, while others note it may not significantly impact L&G's capital position.

L&G's CEO, Antonio Simoes, emphasized the deal's alignment with the company's new simplification strategy, launched in June. The firm aims to grow in three key asset classes: real estate, infrastructure, and private credit. Simoes indicated that any investments outside these areas would be assessed rigorously against capital allocation targets, with excess capital returned to shareholders.

Meanwhile, Sixth Street Partners is intensifying its European investment efforts, having recently established a new regional headquarters in London and planning significant recruitment. They aim to support CALA's growth alongside co-investor Patron Capital. This acquisition signals Sixth Street's commitment to expanding its presence in the UK real estate market.

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