MADRID--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The Colonial Group has approved a simplification of the shareholding structure of its subsidiary SFL which reinforces its Real Estate exposure in Paris and consists in:
- a contribution by Predica, personal insurance subsidiary of Crédit Agricole Assurances to Colonial of a 5% stake in Société Foncière Lyonnaise (SFL); and
- a share and assets swap between SFL and Predica whereby Predica will transfer to SFL an 8% stake in SFL in the context of the SFL share buy-back program. The Colonial Group will continue the long-term relationship between SFL and Predica with the creation of new joint ventures 51% held by SFL and 49% held by Predica in several assets (103 Grenelle, Cloud, Cézanne Saint-Honoré and 92 Champs Elysées), while SFL will own entirely several assets (90 Champs Élysées, 104 Haussmann, Galerie Champs Élysées and Washington Plaza) by acquiring Predica’s stakes in the entities holding these assets.
It is contemplated that the contribution by Predica of its 5% stake in SFL into Colonial and the share and assets swap would take place concurrently. All these transactions remain subject to customary conditions (including municipality pre-emption right waiver and AMF clearance decision with respect to the tender offer) to be satisfied on 31 December 2021 at the latest.
Within the framework of the agreed transactions, Colonial will file – beginning of June - a voluntary mixed tender offer for all the shares of SFL owned by minority shareholders for a consideration equal to €46,66 and 5 newly issued shares of Colonial (listed in Madrid and Barcelona) for each share of SFL.
The financial terms of the tender offer, the contribution of SFL shares to Colonial and the share and assets swap between SFL and Predica are all based on the December 2020 EPRA NDV parity (adjusted for dividend distribution).
By tendering their shares, minority shareholders of SFL would become shareholders of Colonial and benefit, notably from a direct exposure to the leader of the prime office sector in Europe with increased diversification and enhanced access to market liquidity compared to their current situation.
Colonial has called for an Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting for the approval of the contribution by Predica and the capital increase resulting from the mixed tender offer, which will take place on June 28th, 2021.
This transaction will allow Colonial to increase its stake in SFL’s share capital from its current 81.7% to a minimum stake of 94%, including the possibility to acquire the entire share capital of SFL via the mixed tender offer. Colonial does not intend to carry out a squeeze out in the context of the offer and the SFL shares will consequently remain listed on Euronext Paris.
The transaction consolidates Colonial’s leadership in the prime office sector in Europe reinforcing its positioning in the French market, the largest European office market, and will particularly allow to:
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Increase its exposure to prime offices through the investment in circa €1bn of prime assets in Paris
- Acquisition of circa €1bn of exposure to assets in Paris by increasing Colonial’s stake in SFL
- Increased exposure to value-accretive flag-ship projects in Paris
- Reaching full ownership in 90 Champs Élysées, 104 Haussmann, Galerie Champs Élysées, and Washington Plaza
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Reorganize its shareholding structure
- Simplification of Colonial Group’s shareholding structure
- Strengthening of long-term partnership between SFL and Predica, an internationally renowned institutional investor
- Increased free float by circa €0.4bn in terms of Net Tangible Assets (NTA)
- Consolidation of Pan-European prime office platform
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Attractive transaction terms for Colonial Shareholders
- Positive impact on EPS
- Neutral impact on short-term NTA, with mid-term NTA accretion
- Solid capital structure with circa €0.4bn of additional equity (in NTA terms)
- Post transaction LTV remains at solid Investment Grade level
The transaction has been approved by the Board of Directors of Colonial and is also supported by the SFL Board of Directors (including independent directors).
The transaction is expected to be fully executed by September 2021.
Colonial has been advised by Morgan Stanley as financial advisor, and by legal advisors Ramón y Cajal, Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier A.A.R.P.I., and Garrigues.
As explained by Juan José Brugera, President of Colonial, “This transaction allows Colonial to increase its presence in the Paris market, the largest office market in the Eurozone. It reinforces our bet for prime assets, offering the best return for our shareholders while strengthening our platform for further growth in Europe.”
About Colonial
Colonial is a Spanish listed REIT company (SOCIMI), leader in the European Prime office market with presence in the main business areas of Barcelona, Madrid, and Paris with a prime office portfolio of more than one million of sqm of GLA and assets under management with a value of more than €12bn.
“For more information regarding the corporate transactions, see the presentation to the market which Colonial is expected to publish today through the relevant communication on the Spanish Securities Market Commission (the “CNMV”) website () and on Colonial’s corporate website (), as well as the documents regarding the offer that will be published on the French Authority of financial markets (AMF) website () and on the CNMV’s website () “
For more information: Román 93 414 23 40 / Xavier Ribó –
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED OR PUBLISHED EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TOTALLY OR PARTIALLY, IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT COULD CONSTITUTE AN INFRINGEMENT OF LEGISLATION APPLICABLE TO SAID JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT NOR ANY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN CONSTITUTES AN OFFER OF PURCHASE, SALE OR EXCHANGE, NOR A REQUEST FOR AN OFFER OF PURCHASE, SALE OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES, OR ANY ADVICE OR RECOMMENDATION WITH RESPECT TO SUCH SECURITIES. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE OFFER IS IN ANY CASE SUBJECT TO AUTHORISATION BY THE FRENCH FINANCIAL MARKETS REGULATORS (AMF). THE DETAILED TERMS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFER SHALL BE SET OUT IN THE EXPLANATORY PROSPECTUS (PROJET DE NOTE D’INFORMATION), WHICH SHALL BE PUBLISHED IN THE TERMS STIPULATED IN THE REGULATIONS APPLICABLE.
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