Kennedy-Wilson Holdings Inc. (KW) stock is experiencing a dramatic surge of 31.26% in pre-market trading following a significant buyout proposal. The company's CEO and Chairman, William J. McMorrow, in partnership with Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, has made an offer to take the real estate firm private, sparking intense investor interest.

The consortium, which already owns approximately 31% of Kennedy-Wilson's outstanding common stock, has proposed to acquire all remaining shares at $10.25 per share in cash. This offer represents a substantial premium of about 37% over the company's closing price before the announcement, valuing Kennedy-Wilson at around $1.5 billion. The proposal states that the transaction will be fully financed through available liquidity of certain consortium members, with no financing condition required.

In response to this development, Kennedy-Wilson's board has formed a special committee of independent directors to evaluate the offer. The company stated that there is no assurance a definitive agreement will be reached or that any transaction will be completed. If successful, this move would allow Kennedy-Wilson to continue executing its business plan without the administrative burden of public reporting, potentially streamlining operations and enhancing long-term value for the company. Investors are reacting positively to this news, driving the stock to new heights in anticipation of potential benefits from the proposed privatization.