Liberty Group sells 34% stake in Synergy to Vukile

On 17 December 2013, an issue of approximately 20.6 million Vukile linked units to Liberty, which will be held in the Liberty Property Portfolio, will discharge the purchase consideration.

JSE-listed REIT Vukile holds a diversified portfolio of 81 property assets valued at R10.3 billion and has a market capitalisation of R8.1 billion.

Laurence Rapp, CEO of Vukile, explains that the transaction is earnings enhancing and strategically aligned. "Growing exposure to retail property, particularly shopping centres that serve the lower income and emerging middle markets is at the core of the company's strategy. Synergy fits the bill. It's a good addition to our portfolio and complements our overall exposure to this growing market."

Synergy, a JSE-listed REIT, is a specialised retail property fund with a focus on midsized shopping centres in high-growth nodes and generally serving lower income consumers. It owns 15 shopping centres in six provinces, valued over R2.2 billion, dominated by commuter-oriented centres in township areas and rural towns.

"Synergy has built a good portfolio. Its property footprint is concentrated in the Western Cape where we are currently under-represented, making it even more attractive.

"This is an effective growth course in the current market and advances the company's portfolio composition objectives. We will continue looking for opportunities that are earnings enhancing and strategically aligned to our overall objectives of building a high-quality portfolio that favours the retail sector predominantly serving the lower income market," concludes Rapp.