Assura plc, the Altrincham-based healthcare real estate investment trust, has confirmed that the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has granted approval to Assura for a secondary listing on the Main Board of the JSE.

The news came as Assura announced its interim results for the six months ended September 30, 2024, showing that its passing rent roll increased 19% to £179.1 million, net rental income was up 8% to £76.7 million, and that investment property value was £3.1 billion, a valuation uplift of £25.4 million. IFRS profit before tax was £77.1 million (September 2023: loss of £17.8 million).

The commencement of Johannesburg trading is expected to take effect on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

“The Company has released a pre-listing announcement (PLA) in relation to a secondary inward listing on the Main Board of the JSE by way of an introduction,” said the Altrincham firm.

“Assura continues to see opportunities in providing critical healthcare infrastructure and believes that this secondary listing will provide a new potential pool of capital to fund the Company’s continued growth.”

Assura said that in particular, the listing will enable Assura to give South African investors a local platform to more easily invest in and trade Assura shares, broaden the company’s shareholder base with new South African investors, increase liquidity for shareholders, and diversify the company’s shareholder base and position it for future growth.”

The Altrincham company will not place or issue any new Assura shares in connection with its application for a secondary listing on the JSE and will remain listed on the Equity Shares (Commercial Companies) category (ESCC) of the Official List in London.

HSBC is acting as Listing Co-ordinator and Corporate Broker and Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking, a division of Nedbank Limited, as Corporate Advisor and JSE Sponsor.

Assura CEO Jonathan Murphy said: “We are delighted that our secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, which we believe will contribute to liquidity in our shares, has been approved.

“As the UK’s leading diversified healthcare REIT, Assura offers an attractive proposition to South African investors. We look forward to welcoming them onto our share register.

“Our high quality assets offer long-term secured and growing income, underpinned by the long-term structural demand for healthcare services.”