Simon Property Group buying stakes in French real estate company, US mall business

INDIANAPOLIS - Simon Property Group Inc. is buying a minority stake in Paris-based real estate company Klepierre from BNP Paribas for about $2 billion in a move to expand its geographic reach.

The largest mall operator in the U.S. is also purchasing joint venture partner Farallon Capital Management LLC's interest in 26 U.S. shopping malls owned by The Mills LP for $1.5 billion.

Both deals announced Thursday are expected to immediately add to Simon Property's funds from operations, a key measure of strength in the real estate industry.

But Simon Property shares fell $2.16, or 1.6 percent, to $136.06 in afternoon trading. They have been trading near their 52-week high of $139.63 reached in early February. They are 36 percent above their low of $99.60 in early August.

Simon Property said that it will pay 28 euros ($37.04) per share for about 54.4 million shares of Klepierre, which will make it Klepierre's biggest shareholder. Simon Property currently has no plans to buy additional shares of Klepierre.

Klepierre focuses on owning, managing and developing shopping centers, retail properties and offices in Europe.

Simon Property Chairman and CEO David Simon will become Klepierre's chairman and two additional executives from the company will be added to Klepierre's board.

The deal with Farallon includes repayment of The Mills' senior loan facility and mezzanine loan and the retirement of preferred stock.

"The Mills transaction is a compelling opportunity for Simon Property to expand our investment in a portfolio of assets we know well and already manage, which are well-located in key metropolitan markets, have considerable consumer brand equity and large trade areas, and generate significant cash flow and total sales volumes," Simon said in a statement.

Taking both transactions into account, Simon Property is now raising its 2012 funds from operations outlook above Wall Street's expectations. Funds from operations, or FFO, adds such items as amortization and depreciation to net income.

The Indianapolis company now expects FFO in a range of $7.35 to $7.50 per share, up from a previous forecast of $7.20 to $7.30 per share. Funds from operations, or FFO, adds such items as amortization and depreciation to net income.

Analysts surveyed by FactSet predict FFO of $7.31 per share.

Simon Property also announced on Thursday that it plans to offer 7 million shares of its common stock. It expects to give the underwriters an option to buy an additional 1.1 million shares to cover any excess demand. In addition, Simon Property Group LP, a majority-owned operating partnership subsidiary, plans to offer $1.5 billion of senior unsecured notes.

The company plans to use the offerings' net proceeds to help pay for the Klepierre and Farallon transactions.