/ 2 October 2017

Steinhoff raises R16bn through Star listing

Distorted: The JSE Top 40 paints a skewed picture because it is based on what local shareholders own and has been described as ‘parochial’ and ‘inward looking’.
Distorted: The JSE Top 40 paints a skewed picture because it is based on what local shareholders own and has been described as ‘parochial’ and ‘inward looking’.

Amsterdam-based Steinhoff International raised €1bn – or R16bn – by listing and placing 23.19% of its interests in Steinhoff African Retail Limited (Star) on the JSE, the group said in a notice to shareholders on Monday.

Star officially listed on September 20 and issued 750 million new shares under a private placement in a book that was 4.8 times oversubscribed, raising an aggregate amount of R15.4bn, Steinhoff said.

After the listing, Star shares traded consistently above the listing price of R20.50 per shares.

READ: Steinhoff Africa may raise up to $1.4 billion in JSE listing

Subsequently Citi Bank, Star’s stabilisation manager, exercised a call option to purchase a further 50 000 000 existing Star ordinary shares from Steinhoff for delivery to external Star shareholders under an over-allotment option.

Star, with retail chains such as Pep, Ackermans, Timbercity, Buco, HiFi Corp, Incredible Connection and Shoe City in its stable, was valued at R75.6bn at close of business on Friday.

Steinhoff continues to indirectly hold 76.81% of Star’s issued share capital.

In August, Steinhoff announced its intention to spin off its Africa operations, while at the same time buying an almost 23% stake in Shoprite. The move would enable billionaire Christo Wiese, South Africa’s fourth-richest person and the biggest shareholder in both companies, to combine his retail assets after a proposed merger fell through earlier this year.

Star shares traded 1.23% higher at R22.19 by 13:09 on Monday.