Sirius Real Estate has unveiled a proposal to raise £75 million of equity capital to strengthen its financial position and back a targeted expansion programme. Management says the proceeds will be directed at acquisitions and value-add projects intended to expand the groups portfolio by about 500,000 square feet of high-yielding stock.
The company reiterated its focus on steady funds from operations growth combined with a progressive dividend approach. Sirius Real Estate pointed to resilient rental income and disciplined cost control as foundations for sustaining distributions to shareholders.
High occupancy across the portfolio continues to deliver stable returns, according to the company, and management is pursuing active asset recycling to optimise yields and realise value from properties where appropriate. The stated aim is to concentrate capital on opportunities that are accretive to earnings and overall portfolio performance.
Sirius Real Estate also said it will use part of the capital raise to reduce leverage and to preserve financial flexibility for future opportunities. The company has an explicit target to maintain gearing at less than 35% loan-to-value as it deploys new capital.
On the companys position and prospects, CEO Andrew Coombs commented: "We are well-positioned for sustainable growth, with a strong balance sheet and clear strategic priorities."
The equity raise is presented as a means of reinforcing the businesss balance sheet while enabling growth initiatives that management believes will be value-accretive. Execution will involve deploying proceeds into the stated pipeline of acquisitions and refurbishment or enhancement projects designed to increase the amount of high-yielding space within the portfolio.
Context and implications
- Sirius Real Estate plans to expand its asset base by approximately 500,000 square feet through accretive acquisitions and value-add work funded by the equity raise.
- The company emphasises steady funds from operations growth, a progressive dividend policy, resilient rental income and tight cost management as supports for shareholder returns.
- Management aims to keep loan-to-value gearing below 35% and will use part of the proceeds to reduce leverage while maintaining flexibility for future transactions.