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GEMGROW PROPERTIES LIMITED - Pre-close investor roadshow and investor update

Release Date: 17/09/2019 17:06
Code(s): GPA GPB AWA     PDF:  
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Pre-close investor roadshow and investor update

GEMGROW PROPERTIES LIMITED                                          ARROWHEAD PROPERTIES LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                      (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 2007/032604/06)                                (Registration number 2011/000308/06)
JSE share code: GPA ISIN: ZAE0000223269                             JSE share code: AWA ISIN: ZAE000203105
JSE share code: GPB ISIN: ZAE0000223277                             (Approved as a REIT by the JSE)
(Approved as a REIT by the JSE)                                     (“Arrowhead”)
(“Gemgrow” or “the Company”)


PRE-CLOSE INVESTOR ROADSHOW AND INVESTOR UPDATE


Shareholders are referred to the joint announcement released by Gemgrow and Arrowhead earlier today and are advised
that all salient dates and times announced on SENS on 29 August 2019 regarding, inter alia, the offer by Gemgrow to
acquire all of the Arrowhead ordinary shares (excluding the Arrowhead shares held in treasury), from Arrowhead
shareholders by way of a scheme of arrangement remain unchanged, save for that pertaining to the change of name. A
further announcement setting out a revised timetable for the change of name will be published in due course.

Shareholders are advised that Gemgrow (the name of which is in the process of being changed to “Arrowhead”) will be
hosting pre-close meetings with investors on Wednesday, 25 September 2019 to provide an update in respect of the
merged Gemgrow and Arrowhead (collectively, “the Group”) for the year ending 30 September 2019.

The pre-close investor update will cover the topics set out below.

Introduction
Although the South African economic environment in which the Group operates has continued to remain extremely
challenging, the past twelve months have offered a number of positive developments for the business.

Merger
The merger received overwhelming support from both Arrowhead and Gemgrow shareholders at the meetings held on
22 August 2019. As per the finalisation announcement released on SENS on Monday, 9 September 2019, the operative
date of the merger will be Monday, 23 September 2019.

Following the merger, the Group will own a diversified portfolio with an aggregate value of approximately R11 billion.
By revenue the portfolio will comprise 47% retail, 36% office and 17% industrial properties. By GLA the portfolio will
comprise 36% retail, 30% office and 34% industrial properties.

The strategy will remain focused on owning a portfolio of direct properties in South Africa, diversified by region and
by sector, which can deliver sustainable and growing income through the economic cycle.

Building capacity
Approximately 18 months ago a decision was taken to build capacity within the Group as a defensive measure against
a more challenging trading environment which is intended to supplement rather than replace its current outsourced
property management services. During this time the team has increased from 12 to 29 members. In the current year, the
new in-house deal team has increased in capacity to unlock opportunities relating to vacant space and the asset
management team has been strengthened to bolster capacity. In addition, there is now a dedicated utilities manager to
improve recoveries, a dedicated debt manager to improve collections and a relationship manager to enhance
relationships with tenants and improve tenant retention. Further to managing risk and enhancing group compliance, an
additional legal resource has been employed.

These building initiatives have had a significant positive impact on operations.

Disposal programme
Late 2018, the Group implemented a disposal programme aimed at disposing of approximately R1 billion of non-core
property assets. To date over R1 billion has been sold with 49 assets sold in the current year with a value of
approximately R900 million at a 1% discount to book value and a weighted average yield of 8.7% (excluding vacancies).
By book value, the assets disposed of comprise 69% office, 26% retail and 5% industrial. Of the approximately R900
million of disposals, R500 million has transferred, with the balance expected to transfer before the end of the calendar
year. The Group has earmarked an additional R500 million of asset sales in the next year, the proceeds of which will be
used to pay down further debt in line with its intention to improve its gearing and strengthen its balance sheet.

Gearing
Significant progress has been made in strengthening the balance sheet in the short-term and the Company believes that
it is on track to meet its short-term goal of a 35% LTV for the year ending 30 September 2020.

At Arrowhead’s interim results the Group reported an LTV of 41.4%. With the devaluation of its listed investments, by
30 June 2019 this gearing increased to over 43.5%. The Group has since used the proceeds of its disposals to pay down
R528 million of debt and refinanced a further R1,3 billion of its debt for 5 years. As such and notwithstanding the
significant decline in the value of its Rebosis Property Fund Limited (“Rebosis”) and Dipula Income Fund Limited
investments, the Group expects its gearing to reduce to under 39% by the time it reports its annual results, with 80% of
total debt being hedged.

Lease expiries and letting activities
In the year to date, approximately 340 000m2 of GLA has expired of which 79% has been renewed and a further 6% re-
let, taking the overall retention up to 85%. Renewing or reletting initiatives in respect of major lease expiries for 2020
are well under way. Of the top 20 leases expiring (by revenue), engagements have been held with all tenants, and the
Group has concluded early renewals of leases representing approximately 20% of those top 20 leases and is confident
on renewing in excess of 90% of the balance.

Vacancies
At 30 June 2019, the merged entities vacancies were in excess of 9% and it is expected that this will have improved to
below 8.5% by the financial year end.

Arrears management
Despite the increased risk of tenant failure and arrears, bad debt provisions and write offs have been in line with
expectations and are expected to be below 1% by the financial year end.

Dividend guidance
The Company is expected to pay approximately 34.62 cents per share for the six months ending 30 September 2019, as
set out in the merger circular (and this excludes any contribution from Rebosis).

The information on which this investor update has been based has not been reviewed or reported on by the Company's
auditors.

Availability of presentation
The presentation that will form the basis of the pre-close investor engagements will be available on Arrowhead’s website
https://www.arrowheadproperties.co.za/presentations.php on 25 September 2019.

17 September 2019


Sponsor to Gemgrow                                      Sponsor to Arrowhead
Java Capital                                            Investec Bank Limited

Date: 17/09/2019 05:06:00
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