Aston Martin is reportedly preparing for a stock market listing or sale in the latter half of 2018.

Reuters reports that the key owners of Aston Martin, equity fund Investindustrial and Kuwaiti investors, who own 90 per cent of the British marque, have hired investment bank Lazard to commence work on a preliminary plan for an initial public offering (IPO) or a trade sale in the third or fourth quarter of 2018.

It is thought that either move could see the marque valued at between 2 and 3 billion pounds ($4 billion).

Neither Investindustrial, Aston Martin, Lazard, or one of the Kuwaiti investors have commented on the possibility of an IPO or sale.

Aston Martin chief executive Andy Palmer has previously said that an initial public offering could be worth the consideration of shareholders before the brand’s current turnaround plan is completed in 2022.

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