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ASPEN GROUP — Capital/Financing Update 2007
Dec 17, 2007
64404_rns_2007-12-17_c27c501a-a55f-4e97-a51c-d762e04c9072.pdf
Capital/Financing Update
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Aspen Group Limited ABN 50 004 160 927
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Aspen Property Trust ARSN 104 807 767 Level 8, Septimus Roe Square 256 Adelaide Terrace, Perth Western Australia, 6000 Telephone: 08 9220 8400 Facsimile: 08 9220 8401 Email: [email protected]
ASX ANNOUNCEMENT 18 DECEMBER 2007
MARKET UPDATE
Aspen Group (ASX:APZ) wishes to advise the market of its debt position in light of the events affecting the listed property trust sector in recent days.
Aspen presently has total on balance sheet debt facilities of $218 million, representing a current gearing level of 36%, well within the Group’s conservative long term gearing range of 30%-40%.
The total debt position comprises core debt of $130 million which is utilised to fund the Group’s commercial property portfolio. The Group’s core debt is fully hedged against increases in interest rates with a weighted average expiry of three years.
The remaining $88 million of debt represents variable rate facilities used to fund acquisitions for the Group’s growing funds management business. These borrowings are repaid through equity raisings for each of the underlying funds.
Excluding the short term funding to Aspen unlisted funds, the Group’s long term core gearing would be 23%.
Aspen’s sound business model is based on prudent gearing levels and a diversified Australian asset base. This asset base includes the commercial, residential, holiday and accommodation parks and retirement and aged care living sectors.
Aspen believes it is particularly well positioned in the present economic backdrop and looking forward to announcing a sound half year result early in 2008. The Group confirms its December quarter distribution of 3.875 cents is to be paid on or about 23 January 2008.
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For further information please contact:
Angelo Del Borrello John McGlue Managing Director, Aspen Group Porter Novelli Phone: (08) 9220 8400 Phone: (08) 9386 1233 Mobile: 0419 335 411 Mobile: 0417 926 915
Or visit www.aspengroup.com.au
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