Manulife US Reit clarifies US bank exposure after units tumble 14% on Monday
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
The Reit received “multiple queries” following news of US regional banks’ troubles.
PHOTO: MANULIFE US REIT
Sharanya Pillai
Follow topic:
SINGAPORE - None of the lenders of Manulife US Reit is a regional bank in the United States, its manager said in a Monday bourse filing.
This disclosure came after units of the real estate investment trust (Reit) tumbled 14 per cent or 3.5 US cents on Monday, to close at 21.5 US cents.
Its manager, Manulife US Real Estate Management, had received “multiple queries” on Monday following news of US regional banks’ troubles and investor sentiment on US-based real estate funds, it said.
The Reit’s lenders are mainly Singapore and international banks.
Manulife US Reit units were unchanged at 21.5 US cents on Tuesday, after its filing.
The manager added that the Reit’s unsecured sustainability-linked loan facility has been fully drawn to refinance its US$105 million (S$140 million) Phipps mortgage loan.
“Manulife US Reit will not have any refinancing requirements until 2024 and 100 per cent of its loans will be unsecured,” it said.
As reported on March 15, Manulife US Real Estate Management is in discussions with Mirae Asset regarding a potential transaction that may involve the acquisition of its own shares and the subscription of new shares in Manulife US Reit.
The manager has denied reports of a 200 billion won (S$205 million) figure for the sale.
Due diligence on the transaction is ongoing, and the manager will make further announcements if there are material developments, it said. THE BUSINESS TIMES
