The largest new investment during the year was the common stock of the Macerich Company (Macerich). Macerich (MAC, Financial) is a US REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) that owns the fourth most valuable mall portfolio in North America with a particular concentration of market dominant malls in key East Coast markets (e.g., New York City, Washington, D.C.) as well as one of the strongest positions on the West Coast (e.g., California, Arizona, Oregon). Nearly a year ago, Simon Property Group—the largest mall owner globally—purchased a 4% stake in Macerich and launched a bid to buy the entire company for $96 per share. This offer was ultimately rejected by the Board, and led to Macerich’s stock price falling sharply, allowing the Fund to swiftly purchase shares at prices well below private market values, and making it a top five position.
Since rejecting Simon’s bid, Macerich has made improvements to its corporate governance and recently sold stakes in nine of its malls to institutional investors at prices representing an implied cap rate of nearly 4%. The transaction represents great execution and will generate nearly $6 billion of gross proceeds which Macerich will return to shareholders through a special dividend, as well as a $1.25 billion share repurchase program. Should Macerich’s stock price not respond to these moves, it is not inconceivable that some other type of corporate activity could result. In the meantime, Macerich’s business continues to perform quite well despite weaker results from some of the department store retailers and the continued rise of e-commerce. The company is generating industry leading cash flow growth, largely due to its top performing West Coast properties, and progressing on a number of value creating retail-led urban development and redevelopment projects that should only increase the appeal of Macerich’s portfolio over time.
From Third Avenue Management (Trades, Portfolio)'s fourth quarter 2015 Real Estate Value Fund commentary.
