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2 December 2017 – Expansión
The Mexican group Finaccess has reaffirmed its commitment to Colonial by investing another €154 million in the real estate company, which sees its total stake increase to €630 million based on the current market value. Following this acquisition, the group chaired by Carlos Fernández has increased its stake in the real estate company from 13.76% to 18.23% and has whereby retained its position as the company’s largest shareholder.
The operation forms part of the accelerated capital increase that Colonial carried out last week to raise financing for its takeover of Axiare.
Finaccess first acquired a stake in Colonial in the summer of 2016 through an operation that saw it exchange buildings for shares in the company. Since then, the Mexican firm has increased its stake in the real estate company on several occasions.
In addition to the Mexican company, the other two main shareholders of Colonial have also announced their commitment to support the group’s capital increase, up to a total of €250 million, which is why, following the purchase of Finaccess, there will be only €100 million left to raise. After Finaccess, the next largest stakes are held by the Qatar sovereign fund, which currently holds a 10.6% stake, and the Santo Domingo group, with a 7.3% stake. The Puig family, with a 5%, has declined to comment.
On Tuesday, Colonial closed a free capital increase that, together with the placement of its treasury shares, allowed it to raise €416.23 million. The operation followed the issue of €800 million in bonds placed last week. The two operations will contribute a total of €1.216 billion, compared with the €1.033 billion required. Colonial saw its share price close at €8 on Friday, after rising by 0.79% during trading.
Original story: Expansión (by M. Anglés)
Translation: Carmel Drake
