Toronto, ON, November 19, 2024 (TSX: CHP.UN) – Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (“Choice Properties” or the “Trust”) announced today that the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) has accepted a notice filed by Choice Properties of its intention to make a normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”).
The TSX notice provides that Choice Properties may, during the 12-month period commencing November 21, 2024 and terminating November 20, 2025, purchase up to 27,566,130 of Choice Properties trust units (“Units”), representing approximately 10% of the public float of the Units, by way of a NCIB over the facilities of the TSX or through alternative trading systems or by such other means as may be permitted under applicable law. As of November 7, 2024, Choice Properties had 327,923,972 outstanding Units. Based on the average daily trading volume of 386,991 Units during the last six months, daily purchases will be limited to 96,747 Units, other than block purchase exceptions.
Purchases of Units will be made in open market transactions over the facilities of the TSX or through alternative trading systems. In addition, Choice Properties may enter into forward purchase or swap contracts in connection with Units which may be settled by physical settlement, cash settlement or a combination thereof. The forward price will be based on market price, dividend yield and market interest rates. Choice Properties may also purchase Units through private agreements or unit repurchase programs if it receives an issuer bid exemption order permitting it to make such purchases. Any purchases of Units made by way of private agreements or under unit repurchase programs may be at a discount to the prevailing market price as provided in the relevant issuer bid exemption order.
Decisions regarding the timing of future purchases of Units will be based on market conditions, Unit price and other factors. Choice Properties may elect to suspend or discontinue its NCIB at any time. Units purchased under the NCIB will be cancelled or used in connection with the Trust’s equity settled incentive plans. Choice Properties believes that the market price of Units could be such that their purchase may be an attractive and appropriate use of corporate funds. Choice Properties may also use its NCIB to acquire the number of Units that are issued pursuant to the exercise of options in order to offset the dilutive effect of options that have been exercised. Pursuant to its previous NCIB, under which Choice Properties received approval from the TSX to purchase up to 27,563,002 Units for the period of November 21, 2023 to November 20, 2024, 303,428 Units have been purchased as of November 7, 2024 at a weighted average price of $13.64.
From time to time, when Choice Properties does not possess material non-public information about itself or its securities, it may enter into a pre-defined plan with its broker to allow for the purchase of Units at times when Choice Properties ordinarily would not be active in the market due to its own internal trading blackout periods and insider trading rules. Any such plans entered into with Choice Properties’ broker will be adopted in accordance with the requirements of applicable Canadian securities laws.
About Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust
Choice Properties is a leading Real Estate Investment Trust that creates enduring value through places where people thrive.
We are more than a national owner, operator and developer of high-quality commercial and residential real estate. We believe in creating spaces that enhance how our tenants and communities come together to live, work, and connect. This includes our industry leadership in integrating environmental, social and economic sustainability practices into all aspects of our business. In everything we do, we are guided by a shared set of values grounded in Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence. For more information, visit Choice Properties’ website at www.choicereit.ca and Choice Properties’ issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
For further information:
Mario Barrafato
Chief Financial Officer
Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust
t (416) 628-7872
e Mario.Barrafato@choicereit.ca