Slate Retail REIT (TSX:SRT.UN/SRT.U) ("Slate Retail" or the "REIT")
today announced that the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") has accepted
the REIT's notice of intention to make a normal course issuer bid for a
portion of its class U units (the "Class U Units").
As of the date hereof, 21,877,918 Class U Units are outstanding.
Pursuant to the notice, the REIT may purchase for cancellation up to
1,093,895 Class U Units, or approximately 5% of the currently issued and
outstanding Class U Units, over the 12-month period commencing May 26,
2015 and ending on May 25, 2016. Any purchases under the normal course
issuer bid will be made through the facilities of the TSX or alternative
Canadian trading platforms, and in accordance with applicable regulatory
requirements at market prices at the time of acquisition. Subject to
certain prescribed exemptions and any block purchase made in accordance
with the rules of the TSX, the number of Class U Units that can be
purchased pursuant to the bid is subject to a daily maximum of 10,663
Class U Units, or approximately 25% of the average daily trading volume
during the preceding six calendar months. The actual number of Class U
Units to be purchased, and the timing of any such purchases, will be
determined by the REIT. Any Class U Units purchased under the normal
course issuer bid will be cancelled following purchase. The REIT intends
to fund the purchases of Class U Units under the bid out of its
available cash and/or undrawn credit facilities. No Class U Units were
purchased by the REIT in connection with its previous normal course
issuer bid, which expires onMay 25, 2015. The REIT decided not to
purchase any Class U Units under its previous normal course issuer bid
as the board of trustees and management of the REIT determined that
buying back units was not, at such time, in the best interests of the
REIT. The board has authorized the REIT to purchase up to the maximum
allowable Class U Units that may be acquired under the normal course
issuer bid that is the subject of this press release. Looking ahead, the
board anticipates that such buyback of units may be an appropriate use
of the REIT's available resources.
The board of trustees of the REIT believes that the purchase by the REIT
of a portion of its outstanding Class U Units may from time to time be
an appropriate use of available resources and in the best interests of
the REIT and its unitholders.
The REIT also announced today that it has entered into a binding
agreement to purchase Hocking Valley Mall, a 98% occupied, 179,415
square foot grocery-anchored shopping centre located inLancaster
(Columbus MSA), Ohio for U.S.$8,750,000 (U.S.$49 per square foot). The
property is anchored by Kroger. The acquisition is expected to be
completed in second quarter 2015 and remains subject to customary
closing conditions.
About Slate Retail REIT
Slate Retail REIT is an open-ended real estate investment trust focused
on U.S. grocery-anchored real estate. The REIT's portfolio includes over
40 properties located primarily across the top 50 U.S. metro markets.
The REIT is focused on maximizing value through internal organic rental
growth and strategic acquisitions. For more information, please visit www.slateretailreit.com.
Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Often, but not
always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words
such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected",
"estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or
"believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that
certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or
"will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which
may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the REIT to
be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Examples of such statements include statements regarding the REIT's
intention to acquire Class U Units under the normal course issuer bid
and finance such purchases out of its available cash and/or undrawn
credit facilities. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number
of assumptions that may prove to be incorrect. There can be no
assurances that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as
actual results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place
undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These cautionary
statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to the
REIT and persons acting on its behalf. Unless otherwise stated, all
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press
release and the REIT undertakes no obligation to update such statements
except as required by law.
For further information:
Blair Welch
Partner & Co-Founder,
Slate Asset Management L.P.
+1 416 644 4267
blair@slateam.com
Brady Welch
Partner & Co-Founder,
Slate Asset Management L.P.
+1 416 644 4263
brady@slateam.com