CCT’s 3Q 2018 distributable income grew 13.1% year-on-year
Boosted by income contribution from acquisitions of Asia Square Tower 2 and Gallileo
Singapore, 26 October 2018 – CapitaLand Commercial Trust Management Limited, the Manager of CapitaLand Commercial Trust (CCT or Trust), is pleased to report distributable income of S$82.7 million for the quarter ended 30 September 2018 (3Q 2018), an increase of 13.1% from 3Q 2017. Distribution per unit (DPU) was 2.20 cents, 8.9% higher than 2.02 cents a year ago. Gross revenue and net property income for the quarter rose by 35.6% and 37.3% year-on-year respectively. The strong performance in 3Q 2018 was mainly due to the strategic acquisitions of Asia Square Tower 2 and
For year-to-date (YTD) September 2018, CCT’s distributable income was S$238.7 million, up 11.6% year-on-year. Based on the annualised YTD September 2018 DPU and closing price per unit of $1.73 on 25 October 2018, CCT’s distribution yield is 5.0%.
As at 30 September 2018, CCT’s total deposited property value was S$11.1 billion, while its adjusted net asset value per unit (excluding distributable income payable to unitholders) was S$1.79.
The Trust’s unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for 3Q 2018 results are available on its website (www.cct.com.sg) and on SGXNet (www.sgx.com).
SUMMARY OF CCT GROUP RESULTS
|
3Q 2018 |
3Q 2017 |
Change (%) |
YTD Sep 2018 | YTD Sep 2017 | Change (%) |
Gross Revenue (S$’000) |
100,510 |
74,145 |
35.6 |
294,943 |
251,165 |
17.4 |
Net Property Income (S$’000) |
80,397 |
58,555 |
37.3 |
235,343 |
197,513 |
19.2 |
Distributable Income2 (S$’000) |
82,685 |
73,109 |
13.1 |
238,674 |
213,868 |
11.6 |
DPU3 (cents) |
2.20 |
2.02 |
8.9 |
6.48 |
6.58 |
(1.5) |
Mr Kevin Chee, Chief Executive Officer of the Manager, said: “The strategic acquisitions of Asia Square Tower 2 and
Mr Chee added: “During the quarter under review, the Trust’s sponsor CapitaLand initiated its ‘office of the future’ ecosystem in Capital Tower and Asia Square Tower 2, which dovetails with CCT’s ongoing efforts to enhance the relevance and attractiveness of its properties. CapitaLand’s strategy involves an integrated offering of conventional
Proactive capital management
In navigating the rising interest rate environment, CCT refinanced its bank facilities maturing in 2019 ahead of time with longer tenor borrowings. During the quarter, to refinance
Following completion of the divestment of Twenty Anson, S$500.0 million of the net proceeds was used to pre-pay existing higher interest rate borrowings. As a result, the weighted average cost of debt in 3Q 2018 dropped to 2.6% per annum, from 2.8% per annum in 2Q 2018. CCT’s aggregate leverage also decreased to 35.3% as at 30 September 2018, from 37.9% as at 30 June 2018, which increases CCT’s financial flexibility.
CCT’s EUR132.9 million bridge loan due in 2019 was refinanced in October 2018 with a secured fixed rate bank loan for
Active portfolio leasing
In 3Q 2018, CCT signed approximately 448,000 square feet (sq ft) of new and renewal leases of which 27% are new. New demand for space largely came from companies in Real Estate and Property Services; Business Consultancy; IT; Media and Telecommunications; and Financial Services. All lease renewals in 2018 had been completed, while 12% of lease renewals (based on monthly gross rental income) due 2019 were completed. The latter included the lease extension with The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited at 21 Collyer Quay (HSBC Building) till April 2020.
Outlook
Based on data from CBRE Research, the Central Business District (CBD) market occupancy rate was 94.6% in 3Q 2018 (2Q 2018: 94.1%). Singapore’s average monthly Grade A office rent kept its growth trajectory in 3Q 2018 with a quarter-on-quarter growth rate of 3.5%. Year-to-date, Grade A office market rent rose by 11.2% from S$9.40 per sq ft as at 4Q 2017 to S$10.45 per sq ft in 3Q 2018. Consultants expect market rents to continue trending upwards in 2019 given limited gross new supply coming
Frankfurt prime office rent market has been resilient through property cycles. With the relatively low new supply completing in 2018 and 2019, as well as good pre-letting levels, the prime office rents in Frankfurt are well-supported.
1 For 3Q 2018, Twenty Anson contributed income from 1 July to 29 August 2018.
2 Distributable income in 3Q 2018 includes tax-exempt income of S$3.9 million from maiden dividends received from wholly owned subsidiaries Asia Square Tower 2 Pte. Ltd. (“AST2 Co.”) and CCT Galaxy Two Pte. Ltd. which own AST2 and Gallileo respectively.
3 3Q 2018 DPU was computed on total units issued as at 30 September 2018, which included the 130.0 million new CCT units issued for the equity placement on 28 May 2018 (“Equity Placement”) and 513.5 million new CCT units issued for the rights issue on 26 October 2017 (“Rights Issue”). YTD September 2018 DPU of 6.48 cents was only marginally lower than YTD September 2017 DPU of 6.58 cents, despite changes in units outstanding for the computation of DPU: (a) 1H 2017 did not include the Rights Issue; (b) 3Q 2017 and period from 1 January to 27 May 2018 included the Rights Issue; and (c) Period from 28 May to 30 June 2018 and 3Q 2018 included both the Rights Issue and Equity Placement.