Westfield shares rise on merger hopes

Original article by Robert Harley
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 35 : 18-Jun-14

Westfield Retail Trust shareholders will vote on the proposed restructuring of the Westfield group of companies on 20 June 2014. Several major shareholders are expected to vote in favour of the deal, which is likely to ensure that it proceeds. However, Stephen Mayne of the Australian Shareholders’ Association forecasts that the deal will not be approved. Westfield Retail shares closed $A0.06 higher at $A3.21 on 17 June, while Westfield Group was up $A0.28 at $A10.89

CORPORATES
WESTFIELD GROUP – ASX WDC, WESTFIELD RETAIL TRUST – ASX WRT, AUSTRALIAN SHAREHOLDERS’ ASSOCIATION

Goodman to recycle $1.4 billion in assets

Original article by Robert Harley
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 34 : 13-Jun-14

Goodman Group plans to reinvest the proceeds of property sales into the development of new projects. The Australian-listed company’s property portfolio is valued at around $A26.4bn, and it intends to offload some $A1.4bn worth of property in Australia and offshore. Goodman has forecast that its 2013-14 operating earnings will be about seven per cent higher than previously

CORPORATES
GOODMAN GROUP – ASX GMG, MORGAN STANLEY AUSTRALIA LIMITED

Mall refits maintain low Melbourne retail vacancies

Original article by Larry Schlesinger
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 34 : 13-Jun-14

Data from CBRE indicates that the vacancy rate for prime and super prime retail properties in the Melbourne CBD was 1.45 per cent in June 2014. Net rents were steady in the year to June, while outlets such as clothing and shoe stores comprised about 26 per cent of tenants

CORPORATES
CBRE PTY LTD, HERRON TODD WHITE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, HENNES OCH MAURITZ AB, LASALLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED, DEXUS PROPERTY GROUP – ASX DXS

A pain in the glass for Grocon

Original article by Nick Lenaghan
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 34 : 13-Jun-14

Grocon has experienced quality control problems with glass used in the construction of a 12-storey office tower in the Melbourne CBD. The developer has agreed to replace about 50 per cent of the heat-tempered glass due to flaws in its manufacture. The building is being constructed on behalf of the GPT Wholesale Office Fund

CORPORATES
GROCON PTY LTD, GPT WHOLESALE OFFICE FUND NUMBER ONE, WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – ASX WBC, APN PROPERTY GROUP LIMITED – ASX APD, CHINA SOUTHERN GLASS (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD