M&G keeps UK property fund frozen after 6-month suspension

London

INSURER and asset manager M&G is keeping its US$3.2 billion UK property portfolio suspended following a six-month freeze, as it could not assess the value of its real estate assets accurately due to the coronavirus crisis, it said on Tuesday.

Last December, the British company stopped investors from getting their money out of the fund - normally possible daily - saying uncertainty over Brexit and weakness in Britain's retail commercial property sector had prompted redemption requests.

But most other UK property funds also halted redemptions in March, as valuers said there was "material uncertainty" about property values at the end of the first quarter due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

M&G said its valuers were still applying a material uncertainty clause, other than to the stronger-performing industrials and logistics sectors, due to the lack of transactions.

The fund has £181 million (S$316.7 million) in real estate assets under offer or for sale and the sale of all of the asset would bring cash levels up to 16.1 per cent, M&G said in a statement.

"Reopening the fund for dealing will depend on cash levels but will also be contingent on the material uncertainty clause being lifted," it said.

British property funds are expected to remain frozen for months due to the valuation difficulties, and some may need to change structure to survive, industry sources said. REUTERS