CCT’s 4Q 2016 DPU rose 10.1% y-o-y to 2.39 cents
CapitaGreen’s full contribution in FY 2017 will continue to augment the portfolio
Singapore, 18 January 2017 – CapitaLand Commercial Trust Management Limited (Manager), the Manager of CapitaLand Commercial Trust (CCT or Trust), is pleased to report an estimated distribution per unit (DPU) of 2.39 cents1 for the
Year-on-year, 4Q 2016 gross revenue increased by 32.7% to S$89.7 million and net property income (NPI) grew by 35.4% to S$70.8 million. This is a result of CapitaGreen’s contribution to CCT’s 4Q 2016 gross revenue and NPI after becoming a wholly-owned property of the Trust.
The Trust’s investment properties, including its joint venture interest in Raffles City Singapore, have been assessed by independent valuers to be worth S$8,491.9 million as at 31 December 2016. This represents a 13.6% y-o-y increase in portfolio value mainly due to the increased stake in MSO Trust. The Trust’s adjusted net asset value per unit is S$1.73, after deducting the distributable income payable to unitholders.
The Trust’s unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for 4Q 2016 results are available on its website (www.cct.com.sg) and on SGXNet (www.sgx.com).
Summary of CCT Group Results
2H 2016 |
4Q 2016 |
4Q 2015 |
Change (%) |
FY 2016 | FY 2015 | Change (%) |
|
Gross Revenue (S$'000) |
164,148 |
89,726 |
67,599 |
32.7 | 298,577 | 273,219 |
9.3 |
Net Property Income (S$’000) |
127,798 |
70,770 |
52,254 |
35.4 | 231,277 | 212,752 | 8.7 |
Distributable Income (S$’000) |
139,104 |
70,808 |
64,127 |
10.4 | 269,037 | 254,455 | 5.7 |
Distribution Per Unit (DPU) (cents) |
4.691 |
2.391 |
2.17 | 10.1 | 9.081 |
8.62 | 5.3 |
- Taxable (cents) | 4.69 | 2.39 | 2.16 | 10.6 | 9.08 | 8.61 | 5.5 |
- Tax-exempt (cents) | - | - | 0.01 | NM | - | 0.01 | NM |
Mr Soo Kok Leng, Chairman of the Manager, said, “CCT has delivered a set of credible results for 2016 notwithstanding headwinds in the macroeconomic environment and Singapore office market. This is due to our proactive leasing strategy and acquisition of the remaining 60.0% interest in CapitaGreen. The acquisition is a strong testament to the successful execution of our portfolio reconstitution strategy resulting in not only an enhancement of the quality of CCT’s portfolio but also improved financial return. Our proposed redevelopment of Golden Shoe Car Park represents another value creation opportunity which will potentially further strengthen CCT’s foothold and position as the largest office landlord in Singapore’s Central Business District.”
Ms Lynette Leong, Chief Executive Officer of the Manager, said, “CCT’s portfolio committed occupancy rate of 97.1% as at 31 December 2016 is driven by
CCT’s aggregate leverage remained unchanged at 37.8% as at 31 December 2016. The average cost of debt as at 31 December 2016 is 2.6%. CCT has no refinancing requirements in 2017 except for the S$175 million convertible bonds due September 2017.
CCT’s portfolio occupancy rate remains resilient at 97.1% as at 31 December 2016, which is still above market occupancy rate of 95.8%. This is mainly due to higher year-on-year occupancy at CapitaGreen and Capital Tower. In FY 2016, CCT signed approximately 733,000 square feet of new leases and renewals, of which 43% were new leases. New and renewed tenants in the quarter include Ifchor Panamax Singapore Pte Ltd, The Northern Trust Company, Capgemini Singapore Pte Ltd, CRH Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Egon Zehnder International Pte Ltd, Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Waterstone Wealth Advisors Pte Ltd. CCT’s monthly average office portfolio rent eased by 0.2% to S$9.20 per square foot quarter-on-quarter. While CCT signed above-market rents for office leases committed in 4Q 2016, the signed rents were lower than the respective properties’ expiring rents.
Outlook
Average monthly office market rent further eased by 2.2% in 4Q 2016 to S$9.10 per square foot. Since 1Q 2015, Singapore’s CBD office market rents have declined by approximately 20%. In 2017, we may continue to see tenants’ flight to better quality office space and downward pressure on rents caused by stiff competition among landlords. While negative rent reversions are expected to continue, CCT’s DPU for FY 2017 is, nevertheless, expected to be stable barring unforeseen circumstances, and supported by the income contribution from CCT’s 100% ownership in CapitaGreen. Despite the challenging near-term market conditions, Singapore will remain an attractive office location for the long term especially among multinational corporations.
1 The estimated DPU for 4Q 2016, 2H 2016 and FY 2016 were computed on the basis that none of the convertible bonds due 12 September 2017 (“CB 2017”) is converted into CCT units. Accordingly, the actual quantum of DPU may differ if any of the CB 2017 is converted into units on or before books closure date.
2 CCT issued a circular dated 21 June 2016 to its unitholders in relation to the proposed acquisition from CapitaLand and Mitsubishi Estate Asia of 50.0% and 10.0% respectively of units in MSO Trust which holds CapitaGreen.