The Westfield Group (ASX: WDC) today announced it has entered into agreements to
divest seven non-core shopping centers in the U.S. to a Starwood Capital Group
controlled affiliate for US$1.64 billion.
Westfield Group Co-CEO Mr. Peter Lowy said “Today’s announcement continues the
implementation of our strategic plan which positions WDC to generate greater
shareholder value.”
“We are focused on redeploying our capital into superior retail destinations in major cities
through divesting non-core assets and introducing joint venture partners into our high
quality portfolio of assets.”
The non-core assets involved in this transaction are as follows:

Starwood will own and manage the majority interest in the centers with Westfield
retaining a 10 percent common equity interest.
The transactions’ value of $1.64 billion is $120 million below the book value of the assets
at 31 December 2012 and in line with the book values at 30 June 2013.
Post the transactions, WDC will own and operate a portfolio of 40 centers in the U.S.
with average annual specialty sales of $513 psf, at 30 June 2013 compared to $494 psf
reported in WDC’s 2013 half year results announcement.
The transactions will not impact the Group’s Funds from Operation (FFO) forecast for
2013 of 66.5 cents per security and distribution of 51.0 cents per security.
The divestment is expected to have an annualised dilutionary impact to the Group’s FFO
of approximately 4.5 cents per security, which is expected to be mitigated by the
redeployment of capital and the buy-back of WDC securities.
The transactions are expected to close in the 4th Quarter of 2013.