China's Shimao says it has no deal to sell Shanghai plaza, shares slump

[HONG KONG] Shares of Chinese property developer Shimao Group Holdings fell 5 per cent in early Asian trading on Tuesday after it denied a media report that it has entered into a preliminary agreement to sell a Shanghai plaza.

Shimao said in a filing, however, it is in talks with some potential buyers and may consider disposing off some properties in order to reduce its indebtedness.

The Shanghai-based developer said it defaulted a trust loan last week after missing a 645 million yuan (S$137 million) payment that it guaranteed.

Caixin reported over the weekend that Shimao had struck a preliminary deal with a state-owned company to sell its Shimao International Plaza Shanghai, for more than 10 billion yuan.

The report said the firm has put on sale all of its real estate projects, including both residential and commercial properties, and it is also in talks with China Vanke to dispose some assets.

In the filing, Shimao said it has no outstanding asset-backed securities (ABS) due and payable as of Tuesday.

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Reuters reported last week Shimao Group's unit Shanghai Shimao Construction has proposed extensions on maturities for two ABS due this month totaling 1.17 billion yuan.

As of 0156 GMT, shares of Shimao dropped 3.6 per cent, after gaining 19 per cent in the previous session.

Rating agencies S&P and Moody's cut Shimao's credit rating again on Monday after the firm unexpectedly defaulted on a trust loan last week.

REUTERS