FC Private Equity Realty Management Corp. (“
Firm
Capital”), through affiliated entities, is an owner of
both Melcor Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX : MR.UN) (the
“
REIT”), and Melcor Series B Convertible Unsecured
Debentures (TSX : MR.DB.B) (the “
Convertible
Debentures”).
As significant unitholders of the REIT, we are
disappointed with the consistent disconnect between the REIT’s
trading price and Net Asset Value (“NAV”). Since
the spinoff and IPO of properties originally owned by the parent
company in 2013, Melcor Developments Ltd. (“Melcor
Parent”), the trust units have consistently traded at a
discount to NAV. The Melcor Parent is the 55% majority unitholder
and is also the asset manager of the REIT. In addition, the trust
units have consistently traded at a discount to the REIT’s IPO
price of $10.00 per unit, save for a period in 2014. The REIT is
currently trading at $2.66 per unit, which is a 67% discount to the
Q4/2023 IFRS NAV of $8.09 per unit.
On February 29, 2024, Firm Capital sent a letter
to the Melcor CEO and Board of Trustees raising its concerns
regarding: (i) the distribution suspension; (ii) the 2024 mortgage
maturities; (iii) the 5.1% Convertible Debenture coming due in
2024; and (iv) the risk of a take-over proposal by Melcor Parent
whereby the Melcor Parent could take the REIT private at a price
significantly lower than the REIT’s IFRS NAV.
The Melcor Q4/2023 press release on March 5,
2024 addressed some of our concerns namely:
- The
Revolving Credit Facility of $37.9 million is maturing
June 1, 2024 and is expected to be renewed is Q2/2024. Negotiations
are underway; and
-
Mortgages of $53.7 million are maturing in 2024.
The REIT is in discussions with its lenders to refinance its
mortgages at competitive market terms. Management also provided
disclosure on its one unencumbered asset.
However, there was no disclosure regarding the
repayment plan for the $46 million Convertible Debenture coming due
in June 2024, nor any disclosure regarding the liability/repayment
of $2 million of the Class C LP units.
Also in the Q4/2023 press release, Melcor
announced that it was in the process of selling certain assets in
British Columbia (“BC”) and Saskatchewan
(“Sask”) and that proceeds would be used for debt
repayment.
Based on our analysis, if we assume the REIT
utilizes (i) cash on hand, (ii) the expected savings from the
suspension of the distribution to June 30 2024, and (iii) net
expected sale proceeds from the BC and Sask asset sales to
ultimately repay the Convertible Debenture at maturity on June 30,
2024, the REIT would be able to repay approximately $38 million,
leaving it short by approximately $8 million. This shortfall will
be required to be covered by any operational cash generated prior
to the June 30, 2024 maturity plus any availability on the
Revolving Credit Facility (assuming that there is any availability
given that as at Q4/2023 there was approximately $8.2 million
available). This also assumes that the BC and Sask sales are
completed by June 30, 2024. The REIT should provide additional
disclosure in the interim as to how they will account for this
contingency in light of this looming debt maturity.
Furthermore, the REIT should also provide an
overall plan in regard to the repayment of the Convertible
Debentures.
Please see Appendix A for a copy of this letter
and questions asked for Melcor to disclose to the public in a press
release prior to the Q4/2023 results.
Firm Capital has been engaged with both the
Board of Trustees and Management of the REIT since October 2019.
Firm Capital has tabled numerous concerns to the board that have
largely gone unanswered. This includes a dilutive private placement
offered solely and unfairly to the Melcor Parent; inquiries at to
the rationale for now two distribution cuts; and issues surrounding
the 2024 debt maturities.
ONLY SOLUTION – MELCOR DEVELOPMENTS LTD.
TAKE THE REIT PRIVATEMelcor Developments Ltd. took the
REIT public. It is obvious to Unitholders that the process has not
worked out. As such, as the 55% owner and external manager, they
should now take the REIT private.
The Board of Trustees are obligated to find a
way to maximize value for all unitholders. Failure to do so is an
oppressive action toward minority unitholders. While there are
possibly many scenarios that the board can seek to maximize
unitholder value, we believe the current best solution would be for
Melcor Parent to repurchase the 45% minority interest in the REIT
and regain full ownership.
- Trust Units
Issued & O/S (including Class B LP Units): 29.1 million
- Trust Units
not already owned by the Melcor Parent: 13.0 million
A take-out price at 95% of IFRS NAV is $7.69 per
Trust Unit, or approximately $100 million for minority holders.
This would be a successful outcome for both the Melcor Parent and
long-suffering minority unitholders. Anything less than this would
be an oppressive action to minority unitholders.
To our knowledge and based on disclosed
ownerships, Firm Capital, through affiliated entities, is the
largest minority unitholder of the REIT and would vote in favor of
this proposed takeout transaction.
MINORITY UNITHOLDER SUPPORTWe
are reaching out to all Melcor REIT Unitholders to support our
position regarding Melcor Developments Ltd. taking the REIT private
and ask all Unitholders contact Melcor to voice their concerns.
Supporting Unitholders should feel welcome to reach out to show
support for this position.
For further information, please contact:
Eli
Dadouch |
|
Sandy
Poklar |
President & Chief Executive Officer |
|
Chief Operating Officer |
(416) 635-0221 |
|
(416) 635-0221 |
|
ABOUT FC PRIVATE EQUITY REALTY MANAGEMENT
CORP.FC Private Equity Realty Management Corp. is a real
estate private equity investment firm in Toronto, Canada.
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATIONThis
press release may contain forward-looking statements. In some
cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of
words such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan",
"anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential",
"continue", and by discussions of strategies that involve risks and
uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are based on certain
key expectations and assumptions made by the Trust. By their
nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions,
inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that
contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts,
projections and various future events will not occur. Although
management of Firm Capital believes that the expectations reflected
in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no
assurance that future results, levels of activity, performance or
achievements will occur as anticipated. Neither Firm Capital nor
any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and
completeness of any forward-looking statements, and no one has any
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events or such other
factors which affect this information, except as required by law.
Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that
term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility
for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Additional
information about Firm Capiral is available at
www.firmcapital.com.
APPENDIX ALETTER TO
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MELCOR REIT
Issued by & reply to:FC PRIVATE
EQUITY REALTY MANAGEMENT CORP.
February 29, 2024
ATTENTION: MR. RALPH B.
YOUNGChairman of The Board of TrusteesMelcor Real Estate
Investment Trust900, 10310 Jasper Avenue NWEdmonton, ABT5J 1Y8
Dear Mr. Young:
RE: DISTRIBUTION
SUSPENSION AND STRATEGIC REVIEW RE: MELCOR REIT
We are writing this as an open letter for all
Unitholder and the Board of Trustees.
As you are aware from our prior correspondence,
FC Private Equity Realty Management Corp. (“Firm
Capital”), through affiliated entities is an owner of
Melcor Real Estate Investment Trust (“Melcor” or
the “REIT”) Trust Units and the $46 million, 5.1%
Convertible Unsecured Debentures.
As significant unit and debenture holders, we
read your press release issued February 22, 2024 announcing the
commencement of the Strategic Review and Distribution Suspension.
While we applaud the announcement of the Strategic Review, we are
perplexed by the complete Distribution Suspension given that the
AFFO payout ratio was 90% and your overall property metrics were
reasonable despite the occupancy pressures in the office portfolio.
Furthermore, the $14.4 million of annualized cash flow savings from
cutting the distribution will do nothing to alleviate the $135.9
million of debt coming due in 2024.
Regarding the $135.9 million of debt coming due,
we have the following questions as we feel that based on the
amount, the intentions of Melcor to refinance need to be disclosed
in detail to the public in a press release. Specifically:
-
Revolving Credit Facility ($31.8 million): Have
you had discussions with your current lender(s) around the renewal
of the Revolving Credit Facility? Also, what are the terms of the
renewal? If so, will there be a material change such as a paydown
of principal or will the current lender(s) offer a simple
extension?
- 5.1%
Convertible Unsecured Debenture ($46.0 million): How do
you plan on dealing with the Convertible Unsecured Debenture coming
due this year? Do you plan on either: (i) refinancing with the
capital markets by issuing a replacement debenture knowing that the
interest rate could be materially higher; (ii) selling assets and
taking net proceeds (net of existing encumbrances) and paying off
the principal balance; (iii) do you have unencumbered assets that
could be financed with mortgages to repay this liability; or (iv)
going to debenture holders for an extension with possible revised
terms? For the record, we would not be in favour of (i) because the
interest rate would be higher than conventional mortgage debt and
would be punitive to the REIT and (iv) given the poor precedent it
would set for Melcor going forward.
-
Mortgages ($56.1 million): Have you had
discussions with your current lenders around the $56.0 million of
Mortgages and what the terms of renewals or refinancings will look
like? Given the amount coming due, we believe it’s imperative that
a press release be issued to discuss: (i) the status of renewals
and refinancings with lenders; (ii) colour around any unencumbered
or low LTV assets you have on the balance sheet to address these
maturities; (iii) selling assets, taking net proceeds and paying
off partially or in full the principal balances outstanding and
(iv) where will interest rates and principal balances land upon any
renewals given that the weighted average interest rates on all your
mortgages are 4.5% and Melcor renewed its 2023 maturities at
interest rates in the 6.97% - 8.01% range.Lastly, regarding
Melcor’s 2023 maturities, were the renewals and refinancings short
term in nature? Specifically, what were the terms to maturities of
these mortgages?
- Class
C LP Units ($2.0 million): Given that this debt is held by
the parent company, Melcor Developments Ltd. (“Melcor
Parent”), we would hope that prior to any repayment or
resolution of this liability, that the Revolving Credit Facility,
Convertible Unsecured Debenture and Mortgages are addressed and
dealt with first. Specifically, we would hope Melcor Parent and
Melcor would come to terms and convert this liability to trust
units at NAV to show support for the REIT.
In summary on this matter, unit and debenture
holders such as ourselves feel that a detailed and extensive press
release discussing how Melcor plans on refinancing this debt would
be appreciated.
Furthermore, we are concerned that given the
current unit price of $3.01 per Unit, Melcor Parent will use this
opportunity to take Melcor private at a unit price significantly
below its Net Asset Value or NAV. Based on Melcor’s most recent
Q3/2023 financial statements, NAV is approximately $8.32 per Unit.
This represents a trading discount of 63% to NAV. It is our
expectation that the outcome of the Strategic Review will see that
both: (i) the $135.9 million of debt maturities is addressed and
(ii) unitholders will realize NAV on their investment and no
“take-under” proposal is put forward by Melcor Parent and accepted
by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees are thus obligated
to find a way to maximize value for all Unitholders. Failure to do
so is an oppressive action towards the minority unitholders.
On the other hand, if Melcor Parent wishes to
repurchase their 45% minority interest in the REIT and regain full
ownership, we would be supportive provided that it occurred at the
right unit price. The current float of the REIT is approximately 13
million trust units. As such, we suggest that Melcor Parent make an
offer to purchase the REIT at a price per unit in the range of 95%
of IFRS NAV of $8.32 per Trust Unit. This would equate to a takeout
price of $7.90 per Unit for the minority interest, for total
consideration of approximately $103 million. This would be a 162%
increase over the current trading price and would be a successful
outcome for both yourselves and long-suffering minority
unitholders.
To our knowledge and based on disclosed
ownerships, Firm Capital, through affiliated entities, is the
largest minority unitholder of the REIT and would vote in favor of
the proposed takeout transaction. We feel that remaining
unitholders will also be in favour of this type of outcome. We will
be releasing this letter to the public so as to gain minority
unitholder support for our position.
Please ensure that all members of your board of
trustees receive a copy of this letter. May we please get a written
response by March 7, 2024, or simply issue a detailed press release
in response to our letter.
Yours truly,FC PRIVATE EQUITY REALTY
MANAGEMENT CORP.PER:
“Eli
Dadouch”_____________________________Eli DadouchASO
ED/nsDisclaimer;If you feel your response should
be in a public form for all unitholders to see, then issue a press
release, as you should expect all our correspondence to be publicly
released, including your replies.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d3253fd0-cbc8-4668-91c1-6b9dcc358da5
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