Asset Plus Limited (NZX: APL) Unconditional Sale of Eastgate Shopping Centre

Monday 22nd February 2021

Asset Plus is pleased to announce the unconditional sale of a non-core asset, the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Christchurch at a price of $43.45 million.

The sale is to a New Zealand based private investor with the settlement date being the earlier of:

(a) A date nominated by the Purchaser that is not before 22 August 2021 (with 20 working days’ notice to be given); and

(b) 22 February 2022.

Asset Plus Chair, Bruce Cotterill said “Eastgate is non-core in the Asset Plus portfolio and the sale is a positive step forward in the transformation of Asset Plus. The management team at Augusta have done an excellent job of behalf of the Company in delivering this outcome in a manner that compliments our overall objectives.”

Augusta Funds Management Managing Director, Mark Francis, commented: “Augusta as Manager is now focussed on the completion of the $142 million Munroe Lane building for Auckland Council and marketing the Asset Plus Graham Street, Auckland, property for lease with the ultimate aim of bringing Asset Plus to scale.”

A deposit of $1.5 million is payable by the purchaser, which is immediately released to APL. The Manager negotiated the sale directly with the purchaser and no agency commission is payable. The transaction has been structured by the Manager with a deferred settlement so that APL can benefit from the earnings stream over the near term and during part of the Munroe Lane development window.

Following settlement of the sale, adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) are expected to decrease on an annualised basis by 0.45 cents per share, until completion of the Munroe Lane development. Gearing will reduce to 0%. The proceeds of the sale will be applied towards debt repayment with any remaining balance (which will be subject to the actual settlement date) held as cash. The reduction in gearing creates additional balance sheet capability. Total banking facility limits are expected to reduce from $130 million to $90 million following the sale.

Based on initial draft valuations received to date (which are still subject to finalisation and the independent auditor’s review), net tangible assets (NTA) following the sale are expected to be in line with the NTA of 44 cents per share post completion of the capital raising in October 2020.

The dividend remains subject to quarterly review, but it is the Board’s intention to hold a constant dividend during the Munroe Lane development period.

Please see the link below for details:

Unconditional sale of Eastgate Shopping Centre

Source: Asset Plus Limited

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