Thursday 10th May 2007
CLS HOLDINGS PLC ("CLS") ANNOUNCES
INVESTMENT IN CATENA AB
The Board of CLS is pleased to report that it has acquired an interest in
Catena AB ("Catena"). Yesterday CLS bought as an investment, via one of the
Group's Swedish subsidiaries, 3,192,800 shares in Catena at a cost of SEK 364.0
million (£27.0 million) which represents 27.61% of the share capital of Catena.
CLS is now the largest shareholder in Catena. The transaction consideration is
being paid part from cash and part debt financed.
Catena is a listed Swedish real estate company that owns and manages well
located commercial properties in Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
Catena's main tenant is Bilia, which is the leading company in the Nordic area
of car sales and services. Bilia leases 93 per cent of Catena's portfolio on
long leases, the majority being in excess of 10 years and indexed. Bilia is
listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of SEK
3,053 million (£226.1 million).
As reported in Catena's latest Annual Report for the year to 31 December 2006,
gross assets were SEK 2,439 million (£180.7 million) and net profit after
taxation, both current and deferred, inclusive of property revaluation uplift,
was SEK 255 million (£18.9 million). Net profit after current taxation but
excluding property revaluations and deferred taxation was SEK 80 million (£5.9
million).
Catena's Interim Report for the first quarter of 2007, states that they own 29
properties with a book value of SEK 2,234 million (£165.5 million) after the
sale of four properties at 22 per cent above year-end valuation and has
contractual annual rental of SEK 168.5 million (£12.5 million). The retained
profit for the first 3 months of trading of 2007 shows a 74 per cent
increase compared to the same period in the previous year, reflecting both
valuation uplifts on the existing portfolio and realised profits on disposals.
More information on Catena is available on their website at
www.catenafastigheter.se
The exchange rate used for the above figures was SEK 13.50 = GBP1.00.
Executive Chairman, Sten Mortstedt, commented:
"I am very pleased that CLS has acquired a 27.61% stake in Catena, as we have
great confidence in the Nordic market and the potential financial performance
of the company."
- ends -
For further information, please contact:
Sten Mortstedt, Executive Chairman
Per Sjöberg, Chief Executive Officer
CLS Holdings plc
+44 (0)20 7582 7766
www.clsholdings.com
Ben Simons
Hansard Group
Tel. +44 (0)20 7245 1100
www.hansardgroup.co.uk
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