REA Group to Acquire 35% Stake in Distilled for €248 Million

Australian online real estate advertiser REA Group Limited (REA.AX, RPGRF) said Tuesday it agreed to acquire a 35% non-controlling minority interest in Distilled Ltd, an Irish and Northern Irish digital marketplace operator, for €248 million (A$409 million). The deal is expected to be modestly accretive to core earnings per share in the first year after completion, targeted before the end of calendar 2026, and remains subject to regulatory approvals. REA said it will fund the consideration through debt and existing cash reserves, acquiring shares pro-rata from current holders. Distilled owns Irish property portal Daft.ie, Northern Ireland's PropertyPal, automotive marketplaces DoneDeal.ie and Used Cars NI, and classifieds site Adverts.ie. CEO and Co-Founder Eamonn Fallon will continue to lead the business and remain a meaningful shareholder. REA shares closed Tuesday at A$148.67, up 0.09%.