NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH OFFERS OR SALES WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW

This announcement is not an offer of securities in the United States of America or any other jurisdiction. The Bonds (and underlying shares) may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration or exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Vastned does not intend to register the offer, in whole or in part, in the United States of America or to launch a public offering of securities in the United States of America 

Rotterdam,
03
April
2014
|
00:01
Europe/Amsterdam

Vastned successfully placed a € 110 million convertible bond

Vastned, the listed European retail property company focusing on venues for premium shopping, announces today the successful placement of € 110 million convertible bonds due 2019 (the "Bonds"). 

The Bond offering is in line with Vastned’s conservative financing strategy aimed at further diversification of its funding sources and contributes to extending the loan maturity, reducing the cost of debt and creating additional room for future premium high street shop acquisitions. Vastned is conservatively financed with a latest reported Loan-to-Value of 39.7%1 and unencumbered assets of more than 99% of the portfolio. 

The Bonds will be senior and unsecured and will be convertible into fully paid ordinary shares of Vastned (the "Shares"), subject to Vastned’s option to elect to make a payment in cash in lieu of delivery of Shares in part or in whole. The Bonds will have an annual coupon of 1.875% payable semi-annually in arrear in equal instalments, and will have an initial conversion price of € 46.19, representing a conversion premium of 30% above the reference price of € 35.5338 (based on the volume weighted average price of the Shares quoted on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam between launch and pricing). 

The Bonds will be issued at 100% of their principal amount and will, unless previously redeemed, converted or purchased and cancelled, be redeemed at their principal amount on or around 10 April, 2019.  

1 After receipt of the proceeds from the disposal of the Spanish shopping centres. The solvency ratio is 56.7%. 

The Bonds are expected to be issued on or around 10 April, 2014 (the "Closing Date"). Application will be made for the Bonds to be admitted to trading on the Open Market (Freiverkehr) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. 

Vastned will have the option to redeem in cash all but not some only of the outstanding Bonds at their principal amount plus accrued but unpaid interest (i) after 8 May 2017, if the volume weighted average price of a Share exceeds 130% of the conversion price for a specified period, or (ii) at any time if the principal amount of the Bonds then outstanding is less than 15% of the Bonds issued. 

This announcement does not constitute or form part of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for any securities of Vastned. 

ABN AMRO/ UBS and BNP Paribas acted as Joint Bookrunners for the placement of the Bonds. ABN AMRO and UBS are acting pursuant to a cooperation arrangement. Kempen & Co acted as financial advisor to the board of management and the supervisory board of Vastned. 

Tom de Witte, CFO Vastned
We are very pleased that we have been able to issue the bond at for Vastned favourable terms. The coupon of 1.875% and the conversion price of € 46.19 were both at the better end of the indicated range. This placement of € 110 million convertible bonds increases the share of non-bank loans to over 30% of the total loan portfolio, thereby the target of 25% of non-bank loans is more than realised. Furthermore this placement extends the loan maturity, reduces our cost of debt and creates additional room for premium high street acquisitions.
Tom de Witte, CFO Vastned

About Vastned

Vastned is a listed European retail property fund focusing on venues for premium shopping. Vastned invests in selected cities in Europe and Turkey, premium cities, with a clear focus on the best retail property in the most popular shopping streets (high streets). Vastned's tenants are strong and leading international and national retail brands. The property portfolio has a size of approximately € 1.5 billion.