The New Zealand Superannuation Fund sold 7.6 per cent of Auckland International Airport for a 6 per cent discount, raising $276 million and benefiting from a share price near a five-year high.
The selldown was initiated by Morrison & Co Funds Management, which managed the investment for the fund. The sale was managed and underwritten by UBS New Zealand. The shares were sold overnight to institutions at $2.76 apiece, below yesterday's close of $2.94, which was the highest since November 2007.
"We are always looking to get the best return we can on our investment portfolio and to ensure we have the right mix of investments in our fund," general manager of investments Matt Whineray said in a statement.
"In conjunction with our investment manager Morrison & Co we have taken the opportunity presented by the current strong New Zealand share market and good demand for the shares to reduce our large overweight position in AIA," he said.
The transaction comes a week ahead of the airport company reporting its first-half results next week, which are expected to show a 3.1 per cent increase in revenue to $222.5 million and reported profit before items up 4.2 per cent to $73.7 million, according to Forsyth Barr analyst Andy Bowley.
