Assura PLC

Earnings Release • Oct 2, 2017

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RNS Number : 3343S

Assura PLC

02 October 2017

Assura plc

Trading Update

For the first half of the year to 30 September 2017

Accelerated investment - 75 medical centres acquired for £154 million in the period.

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

Value enhancing investment activity

Assura continued to make good progress over the last 6 months, completing the acquisition of 75 medical centres for a gross consideration of £154 million with an aggregate passing rent roll of £7.7 million and a weighted average unexpired lease length of 12.7 years. This acceleration in the rate of our investment partly reflects the successful completion of a small number of portfolio transactions as well as the Company's ongoing progress in executing and refreshing its pipeline of individual investment opportunities.

In addition, three developments were completed with a valuation of £10.8 million and a passing rent of £0.5 million.

The Company continues to see further opportunities for growth and retains a strong pipeline of future acquisitions and developments.

Rental income increased

Assura now owns 475 medical centres with a total annualised rent roll of £83 million (31 March 2017: £74.4 million), with rental growth in the financial year to date driven primarily by acquisitions.

The weighted average annual rent increase was 1.81% based on 88 reviews settled in the first half, of which the average annual rent increase derived from open market rent reviews was 0.83%. 

Strong financial position

On 20 June 2017, the Company raised £98 million gross of expenses from an equity placing of approximately 164 million ordinary shares.   

As at 30 September 2017, Assura's borrowings stood at £591.7 million, with a weighted average cost of debt of 3.78% (31 March 2017 4.06%) and a weighted average debt maturity of 7.9 years. At the same date, Assura's proforma net loan to value ratio was 37%.

Jonathan Murphy, CEO, commented:

"The pace in converting potential investment opportunities into acquisitions has been ahead of our expectations in the first half. The growth of our portfolio allows us to continue to build on our leading position in the sector and further benefit from increased economies of scale while also maintaining a sound balance sheet. There is strong support across the UK political spectrum for more investments in modern primary care premises, and Assura is well placed to deliver this in a market that is in critical need of financial support".

- Ends -

For more information, please contact:

Assura plc	Tel: 01925 420660
Jonathan Murphy
Edelman John Kiely	Tel: 0203 047 2538
Daisy Hayward	Tel: 0203 047 2534
Mav Wynn	Tel: 0203 047 2545

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 £1,345 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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