Regulatory News:

Substantial increase in NAV per share

The gross open market value of Züblin Immobilière (Paris:ZIF) France's property portfolio amounts to ?330.2m, an increase of +1.5% compared to 31 March 2010.

As of 31 March 2011, the physical portfolio occupancy rate remained unchanged over the last six months at 93.9%, versus 94.3% at 31 March 2010.

EPRA NAV per share, on a diluted basis, was ?9.04, i.e. representing a strong increase of +8.1% over the year. At 31 March 2011, the share price (?3.72) thus showed a record discount of 59%.

Results and cash flow per share

On an annualised basis, rents totalled ?22.7m at 31 March 2011, and were thus almost stable (-1.3% on the year). The gross yield was hence 6.9%.

2010/2011 net profit totalled ?11.3m, compared to ?16.6m for the previous 12 months. The upward adjustment in the fair value of the property portfolio, smaller than a year ago, provided a positive contribution of ?2.8m to 2010/2011 annual profit (representing a +0.9% increase on investment property portfolio net open market value as of 31 March 2010).

Due to the full-year effect of the last year vacated space in the Jatte 3 and Magellan buildings , operating cash flow per share totalled, on a diluted basis, ?0.79 in FY 2010/2011 versus ?0.89 the previous year. Over the financial year, Züblin Immobilière France generated cash flow of ?9.2m, thus enabling it to further strengthen its cash position.

Financial solidity

At 31 March 2011, Züblin Immobilière had a cash position of ?29.1m, ?24.1m of it immediately available (versus ?23.7m at 31 March 2010). The Company's financial structure is solid, with stable bank debt of ?227.8m and no refinancing deadlines before the end of 2013.

The consolidated net LTV ratio improved thanks to the increase in the value of the portfolio, and stood at 63.6% at 31 March 2011 compared to 66.2% a year earlier.

Züblin Immobilière is also pleased to announce that Aareal bank has waived its covenants on Jatte 1 and Jatte 2 buildings' debt until the loan matures in July 2014.

Züblin Immobilière France thus has greater flexibility to successfully carry out this major redevelopment project.

Creation of Züblin Immobilière France Asset Management

The Company announces the setting up of Züblin Immobilière France AM. This structure, 100% held by Züblin Immobilière France, will ensure the asset management of (i) the group companies and (ii) third parties investment vehicle such as the OPCI real estate investment fund Pierres Vertes Investissements set up in partnership with Viveris REIM. This fund is dedicated to the acquisition of office buildings with a view to renovating them to meet new French environmental standards. Züblin Immobilière France is thus seeking to increase its revenue, diversify its risk profile and gradually resume its real-estate growth momentum on this very high-potential segment.

Outlook: instigation of environmental renovation work

For FY 2011/2012, Züblin Immobilière France expects an end-of-crisis property context with less, albeit persistent, pressure on rental values. The Company will continue to pursue its strategy of increasing tenant loyalty and boosting the value of its property portfolio by gradually carrying out environmental renovation work on its assets, which will create significant value.

Regarding the redevelopment of the Jatte 1 building, subject to the building permit being obtained by the end of the year, work is scheduled to start in early 2012 with delivery of the building slated for the end of 2013. This ambitious project foresees the creation of 2 730 m2 of new office space and should cost a total of ?55m. Züblin Immobilière France will thus have a rare and modern property asset with a surface area of more than 17 650 m2 meeting the highest energy-efficiency standards and located in one of the Paris region's most prestigious locations, which should thus attract very high-quality tenants.

Regarding the renovation work on the currently-occupied Jatte 3 building, the 1st phase, which relates to the renovation of 1,300 m2, is underway with completion slated for the summer of 2011. The following phases will be carried out until mid 2012 as the building's various floors are freed up for a global investment of ?12.4m.

During the period of renovation of these buildings (i.e. 24 months), rental revenues will decrease significantly, however they will remain sufficient to cover financial and structure costs.

Distribution of free shares resulting from a capital increase out of the share premium reserve

Given the positive cash flow generated over the 2010/2011 financial year, and ever respectful of our shareholders, Züblin Immobilière France's Board will ask the Shareholders' Meeting of 28 June 2011 to approve a distribution in the form of a free share allocation with 1 share allocated for every 16 held shares. This issue, which will preserve the Company's financial resources, will thus take the form of a capital increase incorporating share premium reserve. Based on the current level of share price (?4.0), this free share allocation represents a yield of approximately 7% on the average 2010/2011 share price (?3.56) for shareholders.

This distribution will allow the Company to reward the loyalty of its shareholders whilst enabling them to benefit from the substantial value creation associated with the Company's renovation projects.

A press release detailing the allocation procedure will be issued along with the preparatory documents relating to the shareholders general meeting called in connection with the financial statements for the year ended 31March 2011.

A brief outline of Züblin Immobilière France

Züblin Immobilière France is a listed property company, which has elected for REIT status (SIIC status). The company invests in office properties, and its real estate in France consists of 8 office buildings in Paris area, Lyon and Marseille.

Shares of Züblin Immobilière France trade on compartment C of Euronext Paris market of Nyse Euronext - ISIN: FR0010298901

Key Figures for the first-half of the financial year 2010/2011

In ?m   31.03.2011   31.03.2010
Income statement
Rental income 22.8 24.3
Overheads and corporate expenses (2.8) (2.3)
Change in assets valuations 2.8 6.5
Net operating income 22.1 27.7
Financial income 0.0 0.0
Interest paid / financial expenses (10.9) (11.1)
Net income 11.3 16.6

 

Balance sheet
Investment properties 311.5 306.9
Current assets 33.2 32.2
Total equity 92.2 76.3
Non-current liabilities 241.5 248.4
Current liabilities 14.8 14.8
Total liabilities 348.6 339.5
 
Key figures per share
EPRA NAV (fully diluted) 9.04 8.36
Operating cash flow (fully diluted) 0.79 0.89
Share price 3.72 3.88
 

This press release is not intended as an offer or a solicitation to buy Züblin Immobilière France shares in the United States of America nor any other country where such an offer would be in breach of applicable laws and regulations. Züblin Immobilière France shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Züblin Immobilière France does not intend to register Züblin Immobilière France shares under the US Securities Act of 1933 or to offer these shares for sale in the United States of America.

The shares are only available and may only be offered to or issued to those relevant persons who are legally authorised, and any offer, solicitation or agreement in view of a purchase of existing shares or an application for new shares can only be carried out with those who are legally entitled to do so.

Other persons should not act or rely on this press release. This document or any other document related to the company should only be distributed in accordance with the conditions above.

This document does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to invest.

Distribution of this press statement in some countries can be a violation of applicable legislation.

This press release is not for publication or distribution in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Australia or Japan.

Züblin Immobilière France
Eric Berlizon, CFO, +33 (0)1 40 82 72 40
info@zueblin.fr
More information can be found on our website www.zueblin.fr
or
NewCap
Financial communication
Steve Grobet, Dusan Oresansky, +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94
Fax +33 (0)1 44 71 94 90
zueblin@newcap.fr