For release 8
October 2019
Schroder Real Estate Investment Trust Limited
("SREIT"/ the "Company" / "Group")
REFINANCING OF LONG TERM DEBT AND
DIVIDEND INCREASE
Schroder Real Estate Investment Trust, the actively managed
UK-focused REIT, is implementing a strategy focused on growing net
operating income which delivered a 5% dividend increase in the
financial year to March 2019. Today
the Company announces a significant refinancing and a further
dividend increase:
- £129.6 million fixed rate loan with Canada Life Investments
extended from 8.5 to average 16.5 years
- Reduction in the total interest rate from 4.4% to approximately
2.3% per annum, generating an immediate interest saving of
approximately £2.8 million per annum
- Negotiated break cost of approximately £28 million funded by
cash realised from disposals
- Interest saving to be paid to shareholders as an increased
dividend of approximately £16.2 million per annum, equating to an
increase of approximately 20%
- The transaction is due to complete on 15
October 2019. The final interest rate and break cost will be
based on the closing reference Gilt rates on 14 October 2019
Background to the refinancing
The Company’s strategy is focused on growing net operating
income to continue the progressive dividend policy. This has
included asset management, selective acquisitions and, over the
last 12 months, a disposal programme totalling £85.6 million,
reflecting an average net initial yield of 3.1%. These disposals
crystallised gains from asset management and contributed to
sustained outperformance of the underlying portfolio against the
IPD/MSCI Benchmark of 2.0% and 2.3% per annum over one and three
years to June 2019 respectively. This
activity resulted in the Board increasing the Company’s dividend by
5% in the financial year to March
2019.
In order to lock into low finance costs for a longer term as
well as to further increase the net income return to our
shareholders, the Company announces that it has refinanced its
£129.6 million term loan with Canada Life Investments and extended
its maturity with 50% of the loan maturing in 13 years and 50% of
the loan maturing in 20 years. The transaction reduces the cost of
debt on the loan from 4.4% to approximately 2.3% resulting in
interest savings of approximately £2.8 million per annum. The
interest savings will be used to increase the Company’s dividend by
approximately 20%, starting at the period 1
October 2019. The refinancing has resulted in a negotiated
break cost of approximately £28 million, equating to a reduction in
the NAV per share of 5.5 pence. The
transaction is due to complete on 15 October
2019 at which point the Company will confirm the final
terms. The final interest rate and break cost will be based on the
closing reference Gilt rates on 14 October
2019.
Future growth in earnings
Following this activity and on completion of contracted
disposals in November, the Company will have approximately £80
million of cash and undrawn revolving credit facilities. This
provides the Company with operational flexibility to invest in the
underlying portfolio and take advantage of more attractively priced
investment opportunities that deliver further sustainable growth in
earnings.
Duncan Owen, Global Head of
Schroder Real Estate, commented:
“The transaction increases net operating income post all costs
and debt reduction, and leads to a material increase in the
dividend, thereby increasing shareholder’s returns. In addition, it
reduces risk with long term and low cost debt. The Company is well
positioned; it has long term debt with a conservative LTV and the
capacity to take advantage of lower pricing in the real estate
markets, with available cash and undrawn revolving debt
facilities.”
-ENDS-
For further information:
Schroder Real Estate
Investment Management Limited:
Duncan Owen / Nick Montgomery / Frank Sanderson |
020 7658 6000 |
Northern
Trust:
Andy Dovey / James Machon |
01481 745529 |
FTI
Consulting:
Dido Laurimore / Richard Gotla |
020 3727 1000 |