Assura PLC Trading Update (3424L)

TIDMAGR

RNS Number : 3424L

Assura PLC

18 July 2017

Assura plc

Trading Update

For the first quarter to 30 June 2017

Continued strong growth

Assura plc ("Assura"), the UK's leading primary care property investor and developer, today publishes a trading update for the first quarter to 30 June 2017.

Value enhancing investment activity

Assura continued to make good progress in the first quarter, completing the acquisition of 24 medical centres for a gross consideration of GBP48.9 million with an aggregate passing rent roll of GBP2.5 million and a weighted average unexpired lease length of 13.1 years.

Assura has a further pipeline of individual asset acquisitions and developments currently in solicitors' hands worth approximately GBP146 million, of which GBP76 million represent acquisitions and GBP70 million are developments.

Rental income increased

Assura now owns 422 medical centres with a total annualised rent roll of GBP76.9 million (31 March 2017: GBP74.4 million), with growth in the financial year to date driven primarily by acquisitions.

The weighted average annual rent increase was 2.07% based on 36 reviews settled in the three months to 30 June 2017, of which the average annual rent increase derived from open market rent reviews was 1.25%.

Strong financing and debt position

On 20 June 2017, the Company raised GBP98 million gross of expenses in an equity placing equivalent to approximately 9.9% of the pre-existing ordinary share capital. Following this equity issuance, as at 30 June 2017 Assura's undrawn facilities were GBP160 million and proforma net loan to value ratio was 33%.

Jonathan Murphy, CEO, commented:

"We were pleased with the investor support for our recent equity issue, which was significantly oversubscribed, and this allows us to build on our leading position in the sector by taking advantage of the opportunities in the market while also maintaining a strong balance sheet. Despite the uncertain political landscape there remains support across the UK political spectrum for further investment in primary care premises, and Assura is well placed to help plans become reality in a market that is in critical need of investment."

For more information, please contact:

 
 
  Assura plc       Tel: [phone] 
Jonathan Murphy 
 
  Finsbury         Tel: [phone] 
Gordon Simpson 
 

Notes to Editors

Assura plc, a constituent of the FTSE 250 and the EPRA* indices, is a UK REIT and long-term investor in and developer of primary care property. The company, headquartered in Warrington, works with GPs, health professionals and the NHS to create innovative property solutions to facilitate delivery of high quality patient care in the community. At 31 March 2017, Assura's property portfolio was valued at GBP1,345 million.

Further information is available at www.assuraplc.com

*EPRA is a registered trademark of the European Public Real Estate Association

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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July 18, 2017 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)