Héctor Colonques Acquires 4.9% of Árima for €5M

29 October 2018 – Europa Press

Héctor Colonques Moreno (pictured below, centre), the controlling shareholder of Porcelanosa, has acquired a 4.99% stake in Árima, the company constituted by the former CEO of Axiare, José Luis López de Herrera-Oria, which made its stock market debut last week with a public share offering (OPS).

Colonques has acquired half a million shares in the firm, a package worth €5 million based on the share price of €10 that was set for the IPO.

Nevertheless, that stake is currently worth €4.65 million, given that the firm’s shares are trading at around €9.30.

The investment by the co-owner of Porcelanosa follows others made by institutional investors, which are emerging in the days following the firm’s placement in the register of Spain’s National Securities and Exchange Commission (CNMV).

In this way, Bank of Montreal has acquired 9.79% of the share capital of the new Socimi, whilst Morgan Stanley has purchased 9.4% and the fund Pelham Capital another 9.9%.

Árima made its stock market debut last Tuesday, 23 October, after reducing its OPS by one third. It was set at €100 million in the end and its placement period was extended by several days (…).

Original story: Europa Press 

Translation: Carmel Drake

British Fund Pelham Acquires 10% of Árima

25 October 2018 – Eje Prime

Árima has opened the door to British capital. The UK fund Pelham Capital has declared a stake of 9.98% in the new Socimi from Luis López de Herrera-Oria (pictured below), according to a statement filed by the company with Spain’s National Securities and Market Commission (CNMV).

The new real estate vehicle of the former founder and CEO of Axiare (which was taken over by Colonial) has convinced the London-based firm to enter its share capital by acquiring 999,028 shares, worth €9.5 million, on the basis of the real estate firm’s current share price.

After completing its debut on the main stock market, with a dip of 10%, Árima’s share price recorded a slight upturn on the second day of trading, with an increase of 5.56%.

It is expected that, over the coming days, other funds and institutional investors will be revealed that have participated in the €100 million capital increase that Árima launched to complete its stock market debut. Initially, the Socimi had intended to raise up to €300 million, but it lowered its expectations in light of the unstable situation in the markets.

Original story: Eje Prime

Translation: Carmel Drake

Colonial Increases Its Stake In Axiare To 29% & Launches Takeover Bid

13 November 2017 – Inmodiario

Colonial has acquired an additional 13.3% stake in the share capital of Axiare from some of the company’s former key shareholders, including 9% from Pelham Capital. Moreover, it has formulated a voluntary takeover bid for the remaining 71.4% stake in “Axiare Patrimonio Socimi, S.A.”. The consideration on offer consists of a cash price of €18.50 per share and is subject to Colonial acquiring a stake that represents no less than 50% plus one share of the total share capital of Axiare.

Colonial, which first acquired shares in Axiare just over a year ago with the purchase of 15% of the company’s shares, plans to close the operation during the first half of 2018. The offer price represents a premium of 13% above Axiare’s current share price and 21% above the most recent NAV reported in June 2017.

A Spanish giant worth €10,000 million

With this operation, Colonial would consolidate is position as one of the leading European platforms in the prime office market in Paris, Madrid and Barcelona. Axiare’s portfolio, comprising 74% offices and with 77% of the portfolio located in Madrid, clearly complements the strategy to develop the location and characteristics of Colonial’s asset portfolio.

“This operation continues Colonial’s path of growth and consolidates its leadership position as one of the leading European real estate companies with a great capacity to generate real estate value”, explains Juan José Brugera (pictured above, right), President of Colonial.

The acquisition of Axiare would allow the entity to add €1,710 million in value to its existing portfolio, whereby taking the total asset value to €10,000 million. The resulting portfolio would span an operating surface area of 1.7 million m2, plus 330,000 m2 under development. Colonial, which currently holds a portfolio comprising solely office buildings, 75% of which are situated in prime locations and 97% of which are occupied, would whereby accelerate its commitment to the market in Madrid, where the entity would have a portfolio of office buildings worth €2,600 million.

Following the operation, the exposure to Spain, which currently accounts for 31% of Colonial’s asset value, would increase to represent 42% of the total. The entity’s combined portfolio would have 58% of its value located in Paris, whilst the office portfolio in Madrid and the portfolio of assets in Barcelona would represent 27% and 10%, respectively.

Seizing the optimal moment in the market

Combined, the two portfolios would generate forecast turnover of €350 million, based on the current asset base in each case. Plus, revenues from the potential to generate future income from the various value-added and renovation projects underway by both companies would also have to be added to that figure. Those projects are mainly focused on the market in Madrid and could increase the combined entity’s forecast rental income to €470 million (…).

Full financial backing

The operation is being financed in its entirety by JP Morgan through a bridge loan, which includes capital underwriting (…).

Ramón y Cajal are Colonial’s legal advisors.

Original story: Inmodiario 

Translation: Carmel Drake