Funds cash up for expansion

Original article by Ben Wilmot
The Australian – Page: 30 : 23-Sep-14

Real estate investment trusts are raising capital for expansion. South African-listed Investec Australia Property Fund plans to raise $A120 million. It is buying a $A65.5 million office tower in central Brisbane. GPT Metro Office Fund aims to raise $A255 million in a bookbuild on 30 September 2014

CORPORATES
INVESTEC AUSTRALIA PROPERTY FUND, GPT METRO OFFICE FUND, GPT GROUP – ASX GPT, MORGANS FINANCIAL LIMITED, NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB, LION PTY LTD, KIRIN HOLDINGS COMPANY LIMITED, SAMSUNG (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD, FIFE CAPITAL PTY LTD, IM MEDICAL LIMITED – ASX IMI, ADX MANAGEMENT LIMITED, FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ

GPT wins support for new float

Original article by Bridget Carter
The Australian – Page: 21 : 12-Sep-14

GPT Group proposes to spin off six suburban office properties in a new listed property trust to be known as the GPT Metro Office Fund. Around 127 million units in the new trust would be issued in an IPO that would be worth up to $A225.2m. SG Hiscock & Company MD Stephen Hiscock describes the new trust’s upfront yield as "relatively attractive"

CORPORATES
GPT GROUP – ASX GPT,{SPAC}GPT METRO OFFICE FUND,{SPAC}SG HISCOCK AND COMPANY LIMITED,{SPAC}360 CAPITAL INDUSTRIAL FUND – ASX TIX,{SPAC}360 CAPITAL OFFICE FUND – ASX TOF,{SPAC}360 CAPITAL GROUP LIMITED – ASX TGP,{SPAC}INDUSTRIA REIT FUND – ASX IDR,{SPAC}AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL REIT – ASX ANI,{SPAC}NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB,{SPAC}MORGANS FINANCIAL LIMITED,{SPAC}ORD MINNETT GROUP LIMITED,{SPAC}ALLENS,{SPAC}UBS HOLDINGS PTY LTD

Harsh penalties sought for Prime directors

Original article by Pia Akerman
The Australian – Page: 19 : 29-Jul-14

Ian Martindale QC, on behalf of the Australian Securities & Investments Commission, has urged Federal Court judge Bernard Murphy to impose the maximum fines as well substantial bans on former board members of the failed Prime Retirement & Aged Care Property Trust. The breaches of the Corporations Act should result in a 25-year ban from acting as a director for Bill Lewski, and one of seven to 12 years for ex-federal health minister Michael Wooldridge. Co-accused Peter Clarke meanwhile has sought to revise his previously given testimony

CORPORATES
PRIME RETIREMENT AND AGED CARE PROPERTY TRUST, AUSTRALIAN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES LIMITED – ASX API, VISION EYE INSTITUTE LIMITED – ASX VEI, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES AND INVESTMENTS COMMISSION, FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Pendulum sways to ‘Yes’

Original article by Robert Harley
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 34 : 20-Jun-14

Westfield Retail Trust investors are expected to approve a restructuring of the group at a meeting on 20 June 2014. A vote on the proposed deal was postponed earlier in the month, when 25.9 per cent of proxy votes rejected the plan to merge the trust with the Australasian property portfolio of Westfield Group. Westfield Retail securities closed $A0.04 higher at $A3.21 on 19 June

CORPORATES
WESTFIELD RETAIL TRUST – ASX WRT, WESTFIELD GROUP – ASX WDC, AUSTRALIAN SHAREHOLDERS’ ASSOCIATION, UNISUPER LIMITED, LEGG MASON ASSET MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA LIMITED, COLONIAL FIRST STATE GROUP LIMITED, COLONIAL HOLDING COMPANY LIMITED – ASX CNG

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