Precinct considers bond offer, lifts first-quarter dividend
By Sophie Boot
Nov. 9 (BusinessDesk) - Precinct Properties New Zealand is considering a seven-year bond offer to repay bank debt.
The listed commercial property investor says it is considering making an offer of secured, unsubordinated, fixed-rate
seven-year bonds to institutional and New Zealand retail investors, with details to be released next week when the offer
is expected to open. It has appointed ANZ, First NZ Capital and Forsyth Barr as joint lead managers and Hobson Wealth
Partners as co-manager.
"We believe this option is well suited to Precinct’s current strategy and will further improve our capital structure
post issue," chair Craig Stobo said in his speech to the company's annual meeting in Auckland this morning, according to
notes published on the NZX. "Diversifying our funding sources remains a core component of Precinct’s capital management
strategy. We will prudently consider future funding options which are well suited to Precinct’s strategy and further
improve our capital structure."
Precinct increased annual profit 17 percent to $162.1 million in the latest financial year ended June 30. Stobo said the
company's gearing was now at 18 percent, from 25.1 percent at the end of 2017, after the company raised $150 million of
four-year, fixed-rate subordinated convertible notes in September.
The company also today said it would pay a 1.45 cent per share first-quarter dividend, up 3.6 percent on a year earlier.
It expects to pay a 5.8 cents per share dividend for the 2018 financial year, up from 5.6 cents in 2017, and is
confident about the dividend growth into the future.
The shares dipped 0.4 percent to $1.29, and have gained 7.9 percent this year.
(BusinessDesk)