Bell Potter upgrades REA Group stock to Hold as REA buys Distilled stake
Published on 10/07/2026 at 05:48 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
REA Group (ISIN AU000000REA9) agreed to pay AUD 409 million for a 35 percent stake in Distilled, extending its property marketplace strategy into Ireland and Northern Ireland. Business Insider reported on September 29, 2026, that Bell Potter upgraded REA Group to Hold and set a AUD 148.00 price target.
Distilled deal adds Irish exposure
According to FT on September 29, 2026, REA agreed to acquire a 35 percent non-controlling interest in Distilled, whose portfolio includes Daft.ie, PropertyPal and DoneDeal.ie.
The consideration will be funded with debt and existing cash, and the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. Completion is expected before the end of calendar year 2026, while Distilled chief executive and co-founder Eamonn Fallon is expected to remain in charge.
Distilled reported revenue of EUR 72.4 million and adjusted LTM EBITDA of EUR 43.3 million as of June 2026, giving REA exposure to a profitable marketplace business beyond Australia.
Revenue rises as profit declines
REA's latest reported quarter ended June 30, 2026. Business Insider reported quarterly revenue of AUD 933.5 million, up 2.20 percent from AUD 913.4 million a year earlier.
Quarterly net profit was AUD 215.3 million, down 9.00 percent from AUD 236.6 million in the comparable period. That contrast makes the Distilled deal's expected earnings contribution important, because revenue growth alone did not translate into higher reported profit in the latest quarter.
Bell Potter's Hold rating reflects that balance. The broker's AUD 148.00 target is below the AUD 152.74 primary-market price available on October 7, 2026, while the wider analyst debate remains tied to future listing volumes and operating leverage.
REA shares remain below their high
On the ASX, REA Group was trading at AUD 152.74 at 2:27 p.m. AEDT on October 7, 2026. The price was 34.00 percent below the 52-week high of AUD 231.35 and above the 52-week low of AUD 131.07, while market capitalization was AUD 20.0 billion.
The prior close at Lang & Schwarz was EUR 95.75 on October 5, 2026. The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of REA Group stock.
REA Group at a glance
- Company: REA Group Limited
- ISIN: AU000000REA9
- Ticker: REA
- Primary exchange: ASX
- Prior close Lang & Schwarz (October 5, 2026): EUR 95.75
- Market capitalization: AUD 20.0 billion (as of October 7, 2026)
- 52-week range: AUD 131.07-AUD 231.35 (as of October 7, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Communication Services / Internet Content and Information
