H&R announces $200 million senior unsecured credit facility

TORONTO, March 17, 2016 /CNW/ - H&R Real Estate Investment Trust ("H&R REIT") (TSX: HR.UN; HR.DB.D; HR.DB.E; HR.DB.H) announced today that it has entered into a new senior unsecured credit facility for up to $200 million with Bank of Montreal (the "Credit Facility"), available on a non-revolving basis, maturing March 17, 2021 with no scheduled principal repayments prior to maturity. The Credit Facility will bear interest at a floating rate of CDOR or LIBOR plus 1.2% per year. H&R REIT has immediately drawn down U.S.$140 million and C$18.2 million on the Credit Facility to repay other revolving credit facilities. 

H&R REIT also announced that it has entered into interest rate swap agreements which effectively fix the interest rate on:

(i)	U.S.$130 million of the U.S. dollar portion of the Credit Facility draw down at 2.56% per annum;
(ii)	the $60 million floating rate Series I Senior Debentures maturing in January 2017 at 2.54% per annum;
(iii)	the U.S. $125.0 million floating rate Series J Senior Debentures maturing in February 2018 at 2.04% per annum; and
(iv)	the $200 million floating rate Series K Senior Debentures maturing in March 2019 at 2.36% per annum (collectively, the "Senior Debentures").

Such interest rate swap agreements are intended to limit H&R REIT's interest rate exposure during the respective terms of the Credit Facility and the Senior Debentures.

About H&R REIT

H&R REIT is Canada's largest diversified real estate investment trust with total assets of approximately $14.0 billion as at December 31, 2015. H&R REIT is a fully internalized real estate investment trust and has ownership interests in a North American portfolio of high quality office, retail, industrial and residential properties comprising over 47 million square feet.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (also known as forward-looking statements). These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to H&R REIT's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, including H&R REIT's intentions regarding the limitation of interest rate exposure and other statements contained in this release that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements reflect H&R REIT's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on H&R REIT's estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in H&R REIT's materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time, which could cause the actual results and performance of H&R REIT to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Material factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making an estimate set out in the forward-looking statements include that the general economy is stable; local real estate conditions are stable; interest rates are relatively stable; and equity and debt markets continue to provide access to capital. H&R REIT cautions that this list of factors is not exhaustive. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what H&R REIT believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of today and H&R REIT, except as required by applicable law, assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances.

SOURCE H&R Real Estate Investment Trust

For further information: Larry Froom, Chief Financial Officer, H&R REIT, [phone], or e-mail [email protected]