Last July, Affiliated Managers Group said that it was purchasing a 60-percent stake in Somerville, New Jersey-based Harding Loevner, whose product line includes a family of mutual funds (see The MFWire, 07/23/08). Now, the two firms have agreed to restructure and postpone their transaction due to the market conditions.

The amended agreement contains the option for the deal to be completed during the second half of 2009 on terms consistent with the original agreement.

"We remain enthusiastic about a partnership with the firm," said AMG president and CEO Sean Healey, adding that AMG will "work closely with the management team during this interim period and provide Harding Loevner with access to a number of our strategic support initiatives."

---

Company Press Release

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (NYSE: AMG - News) and Harding Loevner LLC (“Harding Loevner”) today announced that in light of market conditions the parties have agreed to restructure and postpone their transaction. The amended agreement provides the option for the transaction to be completed during the second half of 2009 on terms consistent with the original agreement, including preserving the management partners’ substantial equity ownership in the firm and operating autonomy, and applied to the business levels at the time of completion.

“As a leading global equities manager with an outstanding array of outperforming products relative to peers and benchmarks, Harding Loevner has strong prospects for long-term growth, and we remain enthusiastic about a partnership with the firm,” stated Sean M. Healey, President and Chief Executive Officer of AMG. “We will work closely with the management team during this interim period and provide Harding Loevner with access to a number of our strategic support initiatives.” “We look forward to the opportunity to complete our transaction with AMG toward the latter part of 2009,” said David Loevner, Chief Executive Officer of Harding Loevner. “AMG’s investment approach will allow us to maintain our independence and manage the business in the best interests of our clients, and for these reasons we continue to regard AMG as an excellent partner.”

About Affiliated Managers Group

Affiliated Managers Group is a diversified asset management company with approximately $219 billion in assets at September 30, 2008 (pro forma for pending investments). AMG’s strategy is to generate growth through the internal growth of its existing Affiliates, as well as through investments in new Affiliates. Through AMG’s innovative partnership approach, individual members of each Affiliate’s management team retain or receive significant direct equity ownership in their firm while maintaining operating autonomy. AMG provides centralized assistance to its Affiliates in strategic matters, marketing, distribution, product development and operations.

 

Edited by: Armie Margaret Lee


Stay ahead of the news ... Sign up for our email alerts now
CLICK HERE