Market Chatter: AAR to Pay $1.8 Billion for 65% Stake in MRO Holdings

05:02 PM EDT, 09/28/2026 (MT Newswires) -- AAR (AIR) has agreed to acquire a 65% stake in privately held aircraft-maintenance company MRO Holdings for $1.8 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. AAR will have an option to buy the remaining stake within six years, while MRO investors, including Bain Capital, will receive about $780 million in newly issued AAR shares, the report said. The deal is expected to help AAR expand margins, with EBITDA margins targeted at 19%-20% within three to four years, up from 13%-14% currently, according to the news outlet. AAR did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment. (Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)