S&P: SBB's rating outlook revised to positive on announced acquisition of Hemfosa
S&P Global Ratings ("S&P") has upgraded Samhällsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB (publ)'s (“SBB” or the “Company”) ratings outlook to positive from stable, which means that SBB's new rating is 'BBB-' with positive outlook for ratings on the company and its senior unsecured debt. The positive outlook reflects the possibility of an upgrade within the next 12-24 months.
S&P concludes in commenting on the upside scenario: “We would raise the ratings to 'BBB' if SBB is able to integrate Hemfosa within its portfolio, while demonstrating its capabilities to significantly improve its debt-to-debt-plus-equity ratio to well below 55 per cent and EBITDA interest coverage to 2.4x or above on a sustainable basis.”
”I am confident on integrating Hemfosa within SBB's portfolio and achieving the key financial thresholds needed to get BBB when having completed the acquisition of Hemfosa. The Board and the Management of SBB are committed to conservative finance policies and have a strong intention to actively manage its portfolio so that the balance shifts more towards social infrastructure (elderly care homes, group housing and schools) and rent regulated residentials focusing on the target to achieve and maintain a BBB+ rating within the next 12 months,” says Ilija Batljan, CEO and Founder of SBB.
For further information, please contact:
Ilija Batljan, CEO and Founder of Samhällsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB, +46 70 518 39 67, ilija@sbbnorden.se
This information is information that Samhällsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above on November 18, 2019, at 11:15 CET.
About Samhällsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB (publ)
The company’s strategy is to own, manage and develop community service properties throughout the Nordic region and rental apartments in growth regions in Sweden. Through the company's commitment and engagement in community participation and social responsibility, municipalities and other stakeholders find the company an attractive long-term partner. At the beginning of 2018, SBB was named the winner of the Real Estate Company of the Year Award for 2017. The company’s series B shares (short name SBB B) and D shares (short name SBB D) are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Large Cap. The company’s preference shares (SBB PREF) are listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market. Certified Adviser is Erik Penser Bank (contact: certifiedadviser@penser.se / +46 84638300). More information about the company is available at www.sbbnorden.se.