Abacus announces equity raising to replenish investment capacity
Abacus Property Group (ASX:ABP) (Abacus) today announces it is undertaking:
– a fully underwritten $200 million institutional placement (Placement); and
– a non-underwritten security purchase plan (SPP or Security Purchase Plan) to eligible
securityholders in Australia and New Zealand to raise up to $15 million1
to replenish investment capacity for continued deployment into acquisitions yet to settle and into the
identified development and expansion pipeline in its Self Storage portfolio (together, the Equity Raising).
Strategic Rationale
Abacus has accelerated growth initiatives and its transformation into an asset backed, annuity style
investment house with a strategic focus in the key sectors of Self Storage and Commercial real estate, as
evidenced in the recently released HY22 results.
– Material portfolio transformation achieved with approximately $3.2 billion2,3 deployed since FY17
including over $1.8 billion into Self Storage
– In calendar 2021 Abacus’ established Self Storage portfolio4 delivered 9.3% average rent growth.
These strong growth trends have continued into 3Q22. In addition the pace of lease up at newly
developed and stabilising centres in 3Q22 is above budgeted levels
– Over $1 billion3 deployed into key sectors during FY22 to date, alongside resolution of legacy
residential loan positions
– HY22 result delivered FFO per security growth of 8.2% on 1H21 and 4.9% on 2H21
The Placement positions Abacus to continue its strong momentum upgrading portfolio quality via
development, expansions, and acquisitions.
– Strong Self Storage income growth in HY22 has been strongly supported by macro tailwinds, with
established portfolio4 RevPAM growth of 11.7%
1 Abacus may (at its absolute discretion) decide to scale-back applications under the SPP.
2 Includes equity accounted investments and other assets.
3 Includes $401 million of acquisition: 77 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW, 56 Prescot Parade, Milperra NSW (Riverlands), 181 James
Ruse Drive, Camellia NSW (Camellia) and $53 million of Self Storage sites excluding transaction costs (post balance date
transactions).
4 Established portfolio: 63 mature stores open at 1 July 2020.
2
– Abacus has an identified development and expansion pipeline of $266 million (cost to complete) that
is expected to boost portfolio quality and future income. Development projects are expected to
deliver c.90,000 sqm of NLA across 13
5 stores, and the expansion of 21 stores in high-demand
markets will provide c.35,000 sqm of additional area
– Acquisition opportunities have the potential to further improve portfolio diversification, including
outstanding Self Storage acquisition momentum with a robust pipeline of opportunities. Abacus also
has a strong record of acquiring high quality, value accretive CBD Commercial assets
– Following settlement of post balance date transactions and the Placement, Abacus will have >$320
million6 of capacity to fund its acquisition and development pipeline and to take advantage of further
acquisition opportunities
– The material increase in free float market capitalisation from the Placement is expected to improve
Abacus’ index rankings and liquidity. The Placement structure facilitates introduction of new
institutional securityholders to Abacus’ register
Placement
The offer price per new stapled security has been set at $3.38 (Issue Price), which represents a:
– 5.1% discount to last closing price of $3.56 per Abacus stapled security on 17 March 2022
– 3.7% discount to the 5-day VWAP of $3.51 per Abacus stapled security on 17 March 2022
– 5.3% FY22 DPS yield7
The Placement is fully underwritten by Barrenjoey Markets Pty Ltd and Shaw and Partners Limited.
New stapled securities issued under the Placement will rank equally with existing Abacus stapled securities.
Following settlement of post balance date transactions and the Placement, Abacus’ gearing will be 30.9%.
On completion of the Placement Abacus’ pro forma NTA per stapled security is expected to be $3.70.
Security Purchase Plan
Eligible Abacus securityholders8 on the register at 7pm (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) on 16 March 2022
in Australia and New Zealand will be invited to subscribe for up to $30,000 of new stapled securities at the
same price as new stapled securities issued under the Placement, free of any brokerage or transaction
costs. The SPP will not be underwritten.
New stapled securities issued under the SPP will rank equally with existing Abacus stapled securities.
Further information on the SPP will be lodged with the ASX and sent to eligible unitholders on or around 24
March 2022.
Summary and Outlook
Abacus is positioned as a strong asset backed, annuity style A-REIT focused on the ownership and
management of Commercial and Self Storage real estate and operation of storage locations.
Abacus’ Managing Director, Steven Sewell, said, “With replenished investment capacity and a balance sheet
set with conservative gearing, the Group is positioned to deliver on our Self Storage development pipeline
and take advantage of high quality growth opportunities that will enhance the Group’s ability to deliver
recurring income and value creation over the medium to long term.”
5
Includes 3 post balance date transactions.
6 Based on target maximum gearing of up to 35%.
7 Based on distribution guidance of at least 18.0 cents per stapled security for FY22 which reflects a payout ratio in the range of 85-95%
of FFO. The FY22 guidance is predicated on business conditions continuing to normalise in the second half of FY22 and no further
COVID-19 disruptions.
8 Eligible securityholders are registered Abacus stapled securityholders as at 7pm (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) on 16 March 2022,
who have a registered address in Australia or New Zealand, do not hold Abacus stapled securities on behalf of a person who resides
outside Australia or New Zealand and are not in the United States or acting for the account or benefit of a person in the United States.
3
Including the impact of the Placement and based on information currently available and barring any
unforeseen events, Abacus is pleased to reaffirm its distribution guidance of at least 18.0 cents per stapled
security for FY229
.
Timetable
Event Date (Sydney time)
Announcement of the Equity Raising Thursday, 17 March 2022
Placement
Placement bookbuild Thursday, 17 March 2022
Announcement of outcome of the Placement Friday, 18 March 2022
Settlement of new stapled securities issued under the Placement Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Allotment and trading of new stapled securities issued under the Placement Wednesday, 23 March 2022
SPP
Record date for SPP Wednesday, 16 March 2022
(7:00pm)
SPP offer period Thursday, 24 March 2022 to
Thursday, 14 April 2022
SPP results date Wednesday, 20 April 2022
Allotment of new stapled securities issued under the SPP Tuesday, 26 April 2022
The timetable is indicative only and subject to change. All times represent Australian Eastern Daylight Time.
Abacus reserves the right with the consent of the Underwriters to amend any or all of these events, dates
and times subject to the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ASX Listing Rules and other applicable laws. The
commencement of quotation and trading of Abacus’ new stapled securities is subject to confirmation from
ASX.
Additional information
Additional information about the Placement and SPP, including certain key risks, is contained in the investor
presentation released to the ASX today.
All dollar values are in Australian dollars (A$) and financial data is presented as at 31 December 2021 unless
otherwise stated.
END
DYOR
i hold ABP ..
am currently up 19% on this , so this offer isn't that appealing ( av. SP about $2.98 )
BUT i will watch in case the SP goes noticeably under the SPP price