CCT’s 1Q 2017 DPU of 2.40 cents up 9.6% year-on-year
Timely acquisition of remaining 60.0% interest in CapitaGreen contributed to CCT’s robust results this quarter
Singapore, 19 April 2017 – CapitaLand Commercial Trust Management Limited, the Manager of CapitaLand Commercial Trust (CCT or Trust), is pleased to report an estimated distribution per unit (DPU) of 2.40 cents1 for 1Q 2017, which is 9.6% above the 1Q 2016 DPU of 2.19 cents. Based on the annualised 1Q 2017 DPU and CCT’s closing price per unit of S$1.62 on 18 April 2017, CCT’s distribution yield is 6.0%.
The Trust’s distributable income of S$71.3 million in 1Q 2017 was 9.9% higher than the S$64.8 million in 1Q 2016. Year-on-year, 1Q 2017 gross revenue increased by 33.9% to S$89.5 million and net property income (NPI) grew by 34.3% to S$69.9 million. The positive results are due to higher year-on-year occupancy, in revenue terms, for CapitaGreen and Capital Tower, as well as the consolidation of CapitaGreen’s revenue and NPI to CCT Group in 1Q 2017 following the Trust’s acquisition of the asset’s remaining 60.0% interest on 31 August 2016.
As at 31 March 2017, the Trust’s total deposited property value including other assets was S$8.7 billion; while the net asset value per unit was S$1.72, after adjusting for 1Q 2017 distributable income.
The Trust’s unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for 1Q 2017 results are available on its website (www.cct.com.sg) and on SGXNet (www.sgx.com).
SUMMARY OF CCT GROUP RESULTS
1Q 2017 |
1Q 2016 | Change (%) |
|
Gross Revenue (S$'000) |
89,525 |
66,857 |
33.9 |
Net Property Income (S$’000) |
69,855 |
52,028 |
34.3 |
Distributable Income (S$’000) |
71,292 |
64,845 |
9.9 |
Distribution Per Unit (cents) |
2.40(1) |
2.19 |
9.6 |
Ms Lynette Leong, Chief Executive Officer of the Manager, said: “The timely acquisition of the remaining 60.0% interest in CapitaGreen, our award-winning, premium Grade
Ms Leong added: “In line with our portfolio reconstitution strategy to proactively rejuvenate the Trust’s portfolio and enhance returns to our unitholders, we submitted plans to redevelop Golden Shoe Car Park in the second half of 2016. We have now obtained the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s provisional permission for the proposed redevelopment and await the Singapore Land Authority’s assessment of the differential premium (DP) payable for the potential enhancement in land use. Only when the DP is known can we complete the feasibility study of the proposed redevelopment and determine whether or not to proceed with it.”
The Trust has a healthy balance sheet with an aggregate gearing of 38.1% which is well below the regulatory limit of 45.0%, and a stable average cost of debt of 2.6% as at 31 March 2017. CCT has no refinancing requirements in 2017 except for the S$175.0 million convertible bonds due on 12 September 2017.
On 22 March 2017, the Manager of CCT and CapitaLand Mall Trust Management Limited, the Manager of CapitaLand Mall Trust, jointly announced the establishment of a US$2.0 billion EuroMedium Term Note (EMTN) programme for RCS Trust which owns Raffles City Singapore2. The EMTN Programme will enable RCS Trust to tap on a diversity of funding sources from the debt capital markets where necessary, which in turn enhances its financial flexibility.
In 1Q 2017, 113,000 square feet of new leases and renewals were signed in CCT’s portfolio, of which 50% were new leases, including 45,000 square feet of retail space. Leasing demand was mainly driven by relocations from other buildings and several new companies. The business sectors of the demand include Business Consultancy, IT, Media and Telecommunications as well as Energy, Commodities, Maritime and Logistics. New and renewed tenants in 1Q 2017 include Dow Jones AER Company, Inc. (Singapore Branch), China International Capital Corporation (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Springs Capital Management (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Saudi Aramco Trading Singapore Pte. Ltd., and En Dining Holdings Pte. Ltd.
Outlook for Singapore Central Business District (CBD) Office Market and CCT
Based on data from CBRE Pte. Ltd., Singapore’s Core CBD occupancy rate remained stable at 95.6% while Grade
Singapore’s office market remains challenging in 2017. The impending completion of new office developments together with the increase in secondary stock from which tenants vacate and move to the new developments will continue to exert downward pressure on office market rents. The net property income of some properties in CCT’s portfolio
1 The estimated DPU of 2.40 cents for 1Q 2017 was computed on the basis that none of the convertible bonds due 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.
2 Raffles City Singapore is jointly owned by CapitaLand Commercial Trust (60.0% interest) and CapitaLand Mall Trust (40.0% interest)