GMP Socimi Finalises Its Debut On The Stock Exchange

17 May 2016 – El Confidencial

One of Spain’s largest real estate groups is about to list on the stock exchange. GMP Socimi, the company jointly owned by the Montoro family (70%) and the Government of Singapore (30%), now has all the pieces in place for its stock market debut.

To this end, the company has engaged the entity Renta 4 as registered advisor and has commissioned CBRE to value its assets, according to sources familiar with the company.

The debut on the stock market is a mandatory requirement for GMP, which was constituted as a Socimi in October 2014. The rules for this type of company grants a maximum period of two years to become a listed company. In fact, this rule has been behind all of the recent debuts of such companies on the MAB.

In parallel with its stock market listing, the real estate company has been negotiating with its creditor entities to secure the refinancing of its financial commitments, which exceed €750 million, according to its accounts for 2014, the most recent year for which figures are available, and the majority of its debt is due to mature in 2017.

Although the gross value of the company’s assets amount to €1,300 million, the company was valued at just over €600 million two years ago, when the Singapore sovereign fund, GIC, acquired its 30% stake for €200 million.

Nevertheless, it was precisely the involvement of the Asian giant that allowed the Montoro family to adjust its financial situation and secure the necessary financing to sign operations such as the purchase of Castellana 77. All of this, combined with the recovery of the real estate market means that the group’s next valuation is expected to be much higher than the amount assigned by GIC at the time of its investment.

The Montoro family’s Socimi has been one of the great survivors of the crisis and its buildings include the iconic Torre BBVA on Paseo de la Castellana, as well as the property on Calle Génova, 27.

Since GIC became a shareholder, the company has handled operations such as the aforementioned purchase of Castellana 77 for €90 million; the former headquarters of Altadis, on the Madrilenian Calle Eloy Gonzalo, for €30 million; the office building located on Condesa de Venadito 1; the headquarters of Cortefiel and SGS in Madrid; and the development of a corporate building in Las Tablas.

Original story: El Confidencial (by R. Ugalde)

Translation: Carmel Drake