AEW has reached the tenth anniversary of its IPO in May 2015, providing investors with a share price total return of c 120% since launch (c 80pp ahead of the AIC Property – UK Commercial sector average), as well as ranking highly in its peer group over shorter periods. The UK REIT is highly focused on value investment, acquiring mis-priced assets and then maximising income and unlocking capital upside through asset management initiatives. Since our last update, AEWU has sold the bulk of its largest asset, Central Six Retail Park in Coventry, for a 60% premium over the 2021 purchase price of the whole site, and has reinvested the proceeds in two new assets. It is now once again fully invested, with the exception of a £5m cash buffer and an additional c £5m set aside for planned asset management initiatives. The fully covered 2p quarterly dividend has been maintained for 38 consecutive quarters since launch, and represents a dividend yield of 7.8% on the current share price.
