Nexus Select Trust, India's largest listed retail REIT in the public market, has received board approval to raise ₹1,700 crore by issuing a mix of commercial papers (CPs) and nonconvertible debentures (NCDs). This is as part of its overall capital structure optimisation proposal to support future acquisitions and asset improvement in its retail portfolio.
Key Highlights:
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The trust will have listed, rated, redeemable CPs aggregating ₹500 crores and NCDs worth a maximum of ₹1,200 crores, in one or more tranches.
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Funds will be used for:
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Acquisition of retail assets, which includes two new buildings totaling 0.8 million sq. ft.
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Financing of existing debt at the SPV level
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Current mall refurb and Capex
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General commercial use
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The NCDs will be issued privately and will have bullet repayments, whereas the CPs will be used for shortterm liquidity management.
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Nexus reported a 7% YoY growth in Q1 FY25 net operating income at ₹413 crore, and retail NOI grew 8% at ₹372 crore.
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The trust declared a Q1 FY25 distribution of ₹325.3 crore, or ₹2.147 per unit.
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Its properties include 17 malls, 3 office buildings, and 2 hotels with a total leasable area of 11.2 million sq. ft. and a 97.6% occupancy.
Prospects:
With its solid tenant demand and strong pipeline of acquisitions, Nexus Select Trust will double its retail NOI in five years. Its recent debt issuance gives it the firepower to remain competitive in India's fastunfolding consumption story.
Sources: Economic Times Retail, Business Standard, Nexus Select Trust Board Filings