TEL AVIV, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Israeli real estate developer
Gazit-Globe GZT.TA said on Thursday it raised 604 million
shekels ($155 million) in a share offering on the Tel Aviv Stock
Exchange.
The company sold 17 million shares at 35.5 shekels a share.
Norstar Holdings Inc NSTR.TA , which owns 50.25 percent of
Gazit-Globe, bought 8.5 million of the shares at a total cost of
300 million shekels.
Gazit-Globe GZT.N said it will use the proceeds from the
offering to refinance its debt and for general corporate
purposes.
"The offering will allow the company to maintain a strong
balance sheet and high liquidity for the benefit of the
company's operating activities while strengthening its ability
to identify and execute new investment opportunities in its core
activity," said Chief Executive Rachel Lavine.
The company, whose share price has fallen 24 percent this
year to close at 35.2 shekels on Wednesday, has a market value
of 6.3 billion shekels.
It operates in the United States through Equity
One EQY.N and in Canada through First Capital Reality Inc
FCR.TO . It is the largest shareholder in Finland's Citycon
CTY1S.HE , controls shopping mall developer and is expanding in
Brazil.
($1 = 3.9007 shekels)