Ascott Reit's 1Q 2015 revenue rises 12% to S$90 million
- Revenue for Japan, the second largest market by asset value, surges 56%
- Targets to grow total asset size to S$6 billion by 2017
Singapore, 23 April 2015 – Ascott Residence Trust’s (Ascott Reit) revenue for 1Q 2015 rose 12% to S$90 million while gross profit grew 10% to S$43.1 million. This was mainly due to the additional income from new properties acquired in 2014.
Distribution per unit (DPU) and Unitholders’ distribution for 1Q 2015 both notched up 1% to 1.76 cents and S$27 million respectively, compared to the same period last year.
Mr Lim Jit Poh, Ascott Residence Trust Management Limited’s (ARTML) Chairman, said: “We will continue to grow and enhance Ascott Reit’s portfolio to deliver stable returns to Unitholders. Ascott Reit is currently the largest hospitality trust listed on the Singapore Exchange, with asset size growing at a compound annual growth rate of 18% to S$4.1 billion since listing. Our target is to grow it to S$6 billion by 2017. We will actively seek accretive acquisitions in key cities of Asia Pacific and Europe, review opportunities to unlock value in our portfolio to recycle capital and enhance the operational performance of our properties.”
Mr Ronald Tay, ARTML’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “In 1Q 2015, Japan is our strongest performing market. It is our second largest market after China, making up over 15% of our total asset value. Revenue surged 56%1 due to the contribution of a rental housing property in Fukuoka and a prime hotel in Tokyo, which were both acquired last year. There was also stronger demand for our serviced residences from corporate and leisure travellers, resulting in strong revenue per available unit (RevPAU) growth of 17%1. The hotel, which is recently rebranded into Citadines Central Shinjuku Tokyo, has been performing well with RevPAU increasing 6%1 since it was acquired in October 2014. We plan to renovate it later this year to convert it into a serviced residence and expect its performance to improve further. Spain also did well with revenue increasing 50% 1 due to the strong performance of Citadines Ramblas Barcelona which was upgraded last year.”
Mr Tay added: “As part of our strategy to optimise returns to Unitholders, we will divest some of our properties with limited growth potential. We will also continue to refurbish our properties to enhance guest experience and maximise returns to Unitholders. Approximately 80% of Ascott Reit’s serviced residences have undergone or are undergoing asset enhancement. Another 20% will undergo refurbishment by 2016. We have recently renovated Somerset Grand Central Dalian and completed phase one renovation of Somerset Ho Chi Minh City. The refurbishment of Somerset Olympic Tower Tianjin and Somerset Xu Hui Shanghai are on track to be completed this year.”
Moody’s Investors Service recently improved Ascott Reit’s rating from Baa3 corporate family rating to Baa3 issuer rating, recognising the trust's stable and healthy financial profile, supported by a track record of prudent financial management. As at 31 March 2015, 80% of Ascott Reit’s total borrowings are on fixed interest rates and its effective borrowing rate for 1Q 2015 was also stable at 2.9%.
Summary of Results
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- Revenue for 1Q 2015 increased mainly due to the additional revenue of S$12.5 million from Ascott Reit’s acquisitions in 2014. The increase was partially offset by the decrease in revenue of S$2.5 million from its existing properties, and a decrease in revenue of S$0.4 million due to the expiry of the deed of yield protection for Somerset West Lake Hanoi on 31 March 2014.
- RevPAU was lower by 8% mainly due to weaker performance from Singapore and Vietnam properties and lower average daily rate from the China properties acquired in 2014. On a same store basis, excluding the acquisitions, RevPAU dipped by 2%.
For Ascott Reit’s 1Q 2015 financial statement and presentation slides, please visit www.ascottreit.com.
1Based on revenue and RevPAU in local currencies