HONG KONG: American International Group Inc (AIG) is expected to sell its Asian real estate business to Invesco Ltd later this month, a source said on Tuesday, Nov 9.

The source said AIG's gross property assets were currently worth around US$5 billion (RM15.52 billion), although the actual cost of the deal was expected to be in the tens of millions.

"The gross asset value could change in the end, depending on valuations," the source, who declined to be identified as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

The deal would allow US-based Invesco to take over AIG's real estate assets and property funds, as well as its staff in Asia, including Japan, the source said.

Both parties aimed to sign the deal later in November, with Invesco expecting to officially take over the business by early next year, the source said.

Invesco and AIG declined to comment.

On Monday, AIG's shares closed more than 2% lower, while Invesco fell 2.8%, both underperforming the Dow's 0.33% fall.

AIG, rescued by the US government during the financial crisis with an aid package that ballooned to US$182.3 billion, has been disposing of assets to pay back its bailout, selling life insurance business Alico to MetLife Inc and listing AIA Group Ltd in Hong Kong. — Reuters