12 May 2010

Goodman to sell properties, issue bonds

7:45 am on 12 May 2010

Goodman Property Trust says it will sell more properties and issue more bonds this year to reduce its reliance on bank debt.

The listed property company narrowed it's full year loss to $7 million in the year to March, an improvement the $74 million loss it recorded the previous year.

While property income rose by more than 2%, to $106 million, higher interest costs and lower valuations hit the company's bottom line.

Goodman chief executive John Dakin says interest costs almost doubled to $20 million last year, prompting the company to issue $150 million worth of corporate bonds and sell off about $100 million of property in a bid to raise funds for future developments.

Mr Dakin says Goodman is likely to repeat this strategy as the development market picks up.