Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), the owner of the Daily Mail, has agreed to sell its US property data business Trepp to Fitch Group in a $1bn (£730m) all-cash deal. The transaction, announced on Thursday, is expected to close later this year, subject to regulatory approval.
Strategic Portfolio Reshaping
The sale follows DMGT's recent failure to acquire The Telegraph, after being outbid by German media giant Axel Springer in a £575m deal. The disposal of Trepp, acquired by DMGT in 2004, is part of the group's strategy to focus on data, analytics, and capital-light businesses.
Lord Rothermere, executive chairman of DMGT, praised Trepp's team for building a world-class digital information business. He expressed confidence that Fitch would be a brilliant long-term custodian for the company.
Trepp's Role and Growth
Founded in 1979, Trepp provides data, analytics, and technology to the structured finance, commercial real estate, and banking sectors. It has become a key provider of insights for institutional investors and lenders across US property markets.
For Fitch, the acquisition will integrate Trepp into its Fitch Solutions division, enhancing its data capabilities in credit markets and real estate. Rachel Lojko, president of Fitch Solutions, highlighted that technology is at an inflection point and the acquisition signifies building for the future.
Annemarie DiCola, CEO of Trepp, added that the deal will enable the business to enhance solutions with broader coverage and deeper proprietary data.
Financial Flexibility and Future Investments
Proceeds from the sale are expected to provide DMGT with greater financial flexibility to reinvest in growth areas, including events, data, and digital media. The move reflects a wider trend among legacy media groups divesting assets to focus on higher-margin information services.
Advisers on the deal include Goldman Sachs and Centerview Partners, with Baker McKenzie acting as legal adviser. Completion is expected in the second quarter of 2026, pending US regulatory clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.
