The Australian multinational power behind Delaware Funds is buying a 20-year-old global value shop on the other side of the pond.

Today Ben Bruck, global head of Macquarie Investment Management [profile], confirms that the asset manager has signed a deal to buy Luxembourg-based ValueInvest Asset Management S.A.. As of December 31, 2017, ValueInvest had about 4 billion euros (roughly $4.94 billion) in AUM.

It's not yet clear what the deal will mean for Macquarie's business on this side of the Atlantic. Philadelphia-based Shawn Lytle, deputy global head of Macquarie Investment Management and president of Delaware Funds, did not immediately return a call for comment.

In the fall Lytle shared some hints regarding Macquarie IM's acquisition strategy. Bruck puts the ValueInvest deal in the context of investors needing "skilled active managers across a diverse range of asset classes."

"Part of our strategy is to selectively expand and strengthen our global capabilities by adding the best investment talent to the business," Bruck states. "ValueInvest will be an excellent complement to our existing high-conviction equity strategies."

ValueInvest CEO Jesper Alsing and chief investment officer Jens Hansen will continue to lead their team of 17 within Macquarie IM once the deal closes. They will report to John Leonard, global head of equities. The deal expands Macqurie's existing presence in Luxembourg.

Macquarie IM had 210.7 billion euros ($259.93 billion) in AUM as of December 31, 2017. 

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