On May 6, 2014, Simon Property Group Inc. (NYSE: SPG) announced shares of Washington Prime Group Inc. will be distributed after the market close on May 28, 2014, with regular way trading scheduled to begin on the NYSE on May 29, 2014, under the ticker “”WPG””. Shares of WPG will be distributed on a 1:2 basis to SPG holders as of May 16, 2014. Trading on a “”when-issued”” basis is expected to commence on or about the record date. The spin-off is still subject to an effectiveness declaration of the company’s Form 10 filing by the SEC and WPG’s listing being accepted by the NYSE.
Washington Prime Group will own or have interest in 54 strip centers and 44 malls in 23 states, each generating $10 million or less in net operating income (NOI), for initial annual NOI of approximately $400 million and funds from operations of about $1.60 per share. The entity’s assets total about 53 million square feet with occupancy of 94.9% at strip centers and 90.8% at malls. Washington Prime Group will have a significant presence in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Florida and Texas. The transaction is reminiscent of the 2011 spin-off by General Growth Properties Inc. (NYSE: GGP) of its Class B malls into Rouse Properties Inc. (NYSE: RSE).
As noted in the initial Simon Property Group Inc. Spin-Off Report (March 5, 2014), the fair value calculations would be adjusted based on the finalized distribution ratio, capital structure, dividend policy and changes in company/industry fundamentals. The fair value for WPG is revised to $26.50 per share (previously $26.10, when accounting for the share distribution ratio) due to a higher peer group multiple. The fair value estimate is based on a price/funds from operations (FFO) multiple applied to management’s 2014 FFO guidance of $1.60 per share, and a peer group yield of 4% on the expected $1.00 per share dividend. WPG’s portfolio will consist of 55% strip properties and 45% mall properties. Separating these lower performing assets will likely result in some market participants wishing to value Washington in line with strip centers at 15.5x FFO. However, mall locations will account for 69% of GLA and 70% of NOI and trade at 18.0x FFO. Thus, there is ample justification to compare the portfolio to a mix of strip centers and higher-valued mall operators, or approximately 17.5x FFO.
The fair value estimate of $163 per share for post-spin SPG remains intact. Please see the initial Simon Property Group Inc. Spin-Off Report (March 5, 2014) for further details.