Custodian REIT plc : Disposal of Property

5 August 2019

Custodian REIT plc

("Custodian REIT" or the "Company")

Disposal of Property

Custodian REIT (LSE: CREI), the UK property investment company, is pleased to announce the disposal of a property from its portfolio. 

The Company has sold a 119,600 sq ft industrial warehouse unit in Wolverhampton for £6.6 million, in line with the 30 June 2019 valuation, representing a net initial yield1 of 7.27%.

The property was purchased in June 2016 for £4.5 million as part of a three-property portfolio. Following the disposal, net gearing2 has decreased to 21.3%.  The Company intends to use the proceeds from the disposal to fund acquisitions better aligned to its stated investment strategy.

Commenting on the disposal, Richard Shepherd-Cross, Managing Director of Custodian Capital Limited (the Company's external fund manager), said:

"Our ongoing commitment to portfolio management has led to a 42% rental increase and a significant valuation increase since acquisition. While the property has delivered consistent cash flow, we felt that with four years remaining on the lease and current market sentiment to the industrial sector, the time was right to dispose of the asset and crystallise the 47% valuation gain since acquisition."

1 Passing rent divided by sale price plus estimated purchasers' costs.

2 Gross borrowings less unrestricted cash divided by last published property portfolio valuation.

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Notes to Editors

Custodian REIT plc is a UK real estate investment trust, which listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange on 26 March 2014.  Its portfolio comprises properties predominantly let to institutional grade tenants on long leases throughout the UK and is characterised by properties with individual values of less than £10 million at acquisition. 

The Company offers investors the opportunity to access a diversified portfolio of UK commercial real estate through a closed-ended fund.  By targeting sub £10 million lot size, regional properties, the Company intends to provide investors with an attractive level of income with the potential for capital growth. 

Custodian Capital Limited is the discretionary investment manager of the Company. 

For more information visit www.custodianreit.com and www.custodiancapital.com.