Apollo to Invest $1.4b in Abu Dhabi Developer Aldar

Apollo to Invest $1.4b in Abu Dhabi Developer Aldar
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Apollo to Invest $1.4b in Abu Dhabi Developer Aldar

Apollo to Invest $1.4b in Abu Dhabi Developer Aldar

Apollo Global Management (APO.N) will invest $1.4 billion in Abu Dhabi developer Aldar Properties (ALDAR.AD), including a land joint venture and an equity investment in the company's real estate unit, the pair said on Monday.

The commitment will be made by Apollo managed funds and clients and include a $500 million investment in a land joint venture and a $100 million common equity investment in Aldar's real estate investment unit, the companies said, Reuters reported.

New York-based Apollo would also invest $800 million in the unit, Aldar Investment Properties, through perpetual subordinated notes and mandatory convertible preferred equity, they said.

The land acquired in the joint venture from Aldar's landbank could later be developed or sold. Apollo will hold a minority stake in the real estate investment unit through the common equity investment,

"Aldar’s ability to attract a long-term partner such as Apollo, underscores the strength of Aldar’s business franchise," Aldar Chief Executive Talal Al Dhiyebi said.

Apollo Chief Executive Marc Rowan said Apollo was "pleased" to serve as a long-term capital partner to Aldar.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter. The cash proceeds would be used to fund Aldar's growth plans.

Aldar last week said it planned to spend nearly $1.4 billion of existing capital this year acquiring recurring revenue generating assets such as commercial and residential property.



China to Focus on Stabilizing Housing Market in 2025, Housing Regulator Says

 A cleaner carrying a broom and a trash bin walks along a street in Beijing on December 24, 2024. (AFP)
A cleaner carrying a broom and a trash bin walks along a street in Beijing on December 24, 2024. (AFP)
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China to Focus on Stabilizing Housing Market in 2025, Housing Regulator Says

 A cleaner carrying a broom and a trash bin walks along a street in Beijing on December 24, 2024. (AFP)
A cleaner carrying a broom and a trash bin walks along a street in Beijing on December 24, 2024. (AFP)

Efforts will continue in 2025 to stabilize and prevent further declines in China's real estate market, China Construction News reported, citing a work conference held by the housing regulator on Tuesday and Wednesday.

China will vigorously promote the reform of the commercial housing sales system, and expand the scope of urban village renovation beyond the addition of 1 million units, the report said.

China will strictly control the supply of commercial housing, while increasing the supply of affordable housing to help solve the living problems of a large number of new citizens, young people and migrant workers, it said.

Policymakers have stepped up efforts to revive the real estate by introducing new measures to encourage home demand after a government-led campaign to rein in highly leveraged developers triggered a crisis in 2021.

Since September, measures aimed at encouraging homebuying have included cutting mortgage rates and minimum down-payments, as well as tax incentives to lower the cost of housing transactions.

The real estate market has shown some momentum of stabilizing, with home transactions in October and November seeing year-on-year and month-on-month growth for two consecutive months, said the conference.

China's home prices fell at the slowest pace in 17 months in November, supported by government efforts to revive the sector, official data showed.

An official of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission in December called for policy measures with direct impact on stabilizing the real estate market to be adopted as soon as possible, with local governments getting greater autonomy to buy housing stock.