Highlights

• British Land Company PLC shares fell by 1.4% after announcing a £301 million equity raise at a slight discount to fund the acquisition of retail parks.

• The FTSE 100 real estate investment trust is purchasing a portfolio of seven retail parks for £441 million, with the remaining funds sourced from existing cash and borrowing facilities.

• The equity raise includes a non-pre-emptive placing and a retail offer priced at 422p per share, reflecting a 3.6% discount to the previous closing price.

Overview

British Land Company PLC {LSE:BLND} experienced a 1.4% decline in its share price following the announcement of a £301 million equity raise aimed at financing the acquisition of a portfolio of retail parks. The FTSE 100 real estate investment trust revealed that it is acquiring seven retail parks for a total of £441 million. The remaining capital required for this transaction will be drawn from existing cash reserves and borrowing facilities.

The equity raising consists of a non-pre-emptive placing of £293 million and a retail offer amounting to £6.7 million, both priced at 422p per share. This pricing represents a 3.6% discount to British Land’s last closing price.

Simon Carter, Chief Executive of British Land, expressed satisfaction with the successful equity placing, describing it as a significant step for the company. He highlighted that the proceeds will be utilized to acquire an attractive portfolio of retail parks that exhibit strong rental growth prospects.

The retail offer attracted participation from both retail and institutional investors through the PrimaryBid platform, with some directors also intending to subscribe at the same price after the publication of the company's interim results for the half-year ending September 30.

Prior to the equity placing, British Land engaged in consultations with several of its major shareholders, ensuring alignment with their interests and feedback.

Overall, this strategic acquisition and the accompanying equity raise are indicative of British Land's commitment to expanding its portfolio while maintaining financial flexibility. The focus on retail parks aligns with the company’s goal of enhancing its asset base and generating long-term value through targeted growth opportunities in the property market.