Deutsche Bank downgrades Air Lease amid $7.4 bln acquisition

Air Lease

03/09/2025 11:42

** Deutsche Bank downgrades U.S.-based Air Lease Corp AL.N stock rating to "hold" from "buy"; trims PT by $1 to $65

** Cites Air Lease has announced that a new Dublin-based holding company will acquire it for $65 per share in cash, and deal is expected to close during the first half of 2026

** On Tuesday, a group of investors led by Sumitomo Corp 8053.T and SMBC Aviation Capital unveiled plans for a $7.4 billion cash deal, which aims to fold AL into one of the world's largest aircraft lessors

** Citigroup and Goldman Sachs are advising SMBC Aviation Capital, while Air Lease is working with J.P. Morgan Securities

** Average rating of analysts is "buy"; median PT is $66 - data compiled by LSEG

** As of last close, AL is up nearly 33.3% YTD

 (Reporting by Akriti Shah in Bengaluru)

 ((akriti.shah@thomsonreuters.com))