LISTED
Making sense of REITs
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South African REIT is a listed property investment vehicle that is similar to internationally recognised REIT structures from around the world . Listed Company REITs or Trust REITs are publicly traded on the JSE REIT board and qualify for the REIT tax dispensation .
Grit planning to list on London Stock Exchange
CEO : Bronwyn Corbett
Grit , the only listed Africa focused distribution group to offer international property investors direct access to immediate high growth opportunities on the African continent outside of South Africa , announced on 17 July that it will officially seek approval from the UK Listing Authority to proceed with its listing on the main market of the London Stock Exchange ( LSE ).
Bronwyn Corbett , founder member and Chief Executive of Grit commented : “ Our planned listing on the London Stock Exchange will create a compelling opportunity for UK and other equity investors to gain exposure to the African real estate sector , which offers some of the best returns in the global property market . “ We have a proven track record of generating income from our selective and diversified range of assets , built through our close and detailed understanding of the region ’ s property investment environment .
“ The listing will support our aim to grow our portfolio further and become the leading real estate owner on the African continent outside South Africa .” As part of the listing , Grit will issue up to 250 million new ordinary shares at an EPRA net asset value of US $ 1.43 per ordinary share , to raise a minimum of US $ 120 million . The issue will be by means of an offer for subscription in the UK and a private placement of ordinary shares in the UK , South African and Mauritius . The proceeds of the listing will be used to grow Grit ’ s portfolio in Ghana , where it has access to a high-quality pipeline of assets , as well as in other regions , and to reduce gearing . “ We are extremely excited about the prospects of listing in London ,” said Corbett .
“ The teams have been working exceptionally hard since late last year to make this happen . Our final hurdle in
the listing process was the application of Best Practice Recommendations by the European Public Real Estate Association to our business , which has traditionally used IFRS as a benchmark . We have now received the all-clear and will proceed with the application to list by end of July .”
Once listed on the LSE , Grit will hold primary listings on the JSE , the LSE , and SEM . AXYS Corporate Advisory is acting as lead transaction adviser and Perigeum Capital is acting as the Mauritian transaction adviser . finnCap Limited is acting as UK financial adviser and joint UK placing agent . Baden Hill , a trading name of Northland Capital Partners Limited and Exotix Partners LLP are acting as joint UK placing agents . PSG Capital is acting as sponsor and placing agent in South Africa .
Key Grit Highlights
• A track record of returns and strong dividend yields
• Grit is targeting a US Dollar total return of approximately 12.00 % per annum
• Eight dividend distributions since its launch in 2014 -
• Weighted average cost of debt of 5.7 % as at 30 June 2018
• The target dividend in relation to the six months ended 30 June 2018 is approximately US $ 5.9 cents per Share
• Rental income predominantly generated in US $ and Euros
• Bulk of income paid out to shareholders as semi-annual dividends
• Strong focus on selected African countries with strong fundamentals and strength of counterparty
• Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa averages more than 5 % per annum since 2000 , driving rapid urbanisation and a growing middle class
• Increased demand for modern properties from domestic and international businesses
• A selective portfolio of quality assets , diversified across sectors , jurisdictions and tenants
• A customer base of international tenants with longterm leases
32 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2018 SA Real Estate Investor Magazine