(Adds fund manager comments, wraps in Westfield)
By Sonali Paul
MELBOURNE, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Property developer Stockland
Group
Stockland and bigger rival Westfield Group Ltd
"It would be pretty naive to believe there aren't going to be some great acquisition opportunities over the next 12, 18 months," said Andrew Parsons, managing director of property funds manager Resolution Capital.
Three fund managers said it was unlikely Stockland would make a full takeover offer for GPT in the near term, as it would be too hard to raise the A$4 billion ($2.6 billion) it would need to take it over now, and because its property values were likely to fall when reviewed at the end of the year.
"I wouldn't see it as a precursor to any type of bid. It's just a seat at the table, similar to FKP," said a portfolio manager who declined to be named.
Last month, Stockland spent about A$100 million buying
strategic stakes in two retirement village owners, Aevum Ltd
Its move on Wednesday comes after GPT last month raised A$1 billion ($654 million) in a share sale priced at a massive 48 percent discount to cut debt and ease concerns over its future, and farewelled its chief executive. That financing deal was backed by Government of Singapore Investment Corp's GIC Real Estate.
At the time of the rights issue, GIC Real Estate agreed not to block any future takeover of the company as long as it was supported by a majority of other shareholders.
WESTFIELD HUNTING
Westfield signalled on Wednesday it was looking for acquisitions as asset prices were falling, especially in the United States and Britain, and might give it better returns than pouring money into developing shopping centres.
"In this environment, assets in companies that were previously unavailable at appropriate returns may present future opportunities," Westfield joint managing director Peter Lowy told analysts on a webcast.
Co-head Steven Lowy said, "It could either be a company or a set of assets," adding they had to be strategic, highest quality assets.
He declined to comment on whether Westfield was interested
in any assets of, or all of, U.S. shopping mall owner General
Growth Properties Inc
And he did not rule out teaming up with another property
group to launch a takeover. Analysts have speculated Westfield
might work with top U.S. mall owner Simon Property Group
Westfield stuck to its forecast for a distribution of 106.5 cents a share this year, surprising investors who had expected it either to cut distributions or raise cash through a share sale to further strengthen its balance sheet as retail conditions weaken.
Instead, it said it expected to preserve about A$2 billion a year in capital by reactivating its dividend reinvestment plan.
Westfield shares fell 1.2 percent to A$14.37 against a 1.3 percent rise in the A-REIT sector <.AXPJ>, while Stockland shares fell 5.5 percent to A$4.12.
Stockland bought most of its stake in GPT from fund manager Perennial Investments for A$224 million in cash and an issue of 51 million Stockland shares. It also has a A$97 million swap with an investment bank for 117 million GPT shares.
"They've taken advantage of panic in the investment industry generally. They've taken advantage of the fact there's no short selling allowed, and they've taken advantage of no management at GPT," said Resolution Capital's Parsons.
Naked short selling of financial stocks, including property trusts, has been banned in the Australian market until January.
GPT shares shot up to a six-week high of A$1.44 after Stockland's announcement and last traded up 13 percent at A$1.19.
Its rights issue last month was priced at A$0.60. ($1=1.529 Australian Dollar) (Editing by Mark Bendeich and Lincoln Feast)