CCT’s 3Q 2019 distributable income grew 2.6% year-on-year
New leases for upcoming CapitaSpring in Raffles Place ramps up committed occupancy to 31% ahead of 1H 2021 completion
Singapore, 23 October 2019 – CapitaLand Commercial Trust Management Limited, the Manager of CapitaLand Commercial Trust (CCT or Trust), is pleased to report that CCT’s distributable income for the quarter ended 30 September 2019 (3Q 2019) rose 2.6% year-on-year to S$84.8 million, on the back of higher net property income and lower interest expense. Distribution per unit (DPU) for 3Q 2019 was 2.20 cents, similar to 3Q 2018.
For year-to-date (YTD) September 2019, CCT’s distributable income grew by 4.7% year-on-year to S$250.0 million. DPU for the same period at 6.60 cents was 1.9% higher than YTD September 2018 at 6.48 cents. Higher DPU was achieved due to improved net property income performance, more distributions from subsidiaries and associates, and lower interest expense.
Gross revenue and net property income for 3Q 2019 increased year-on-year by 3.3% and 0.9% to S$103.8 million and S$81.1 million respectively. The stronger performance was largely due to higher rental from 21 Collyer Quay, Asia Square Tower 2, Capital Tower and Gallileo. This was offset by increased operating expenses, lower revenue from Six Battery Road and Bugis Village, as well as the divestment of Twenty Anson in August 2018. CCT also completed the acquisition of Main Airport Center in Frankfurt, Germany, which contributed income from 18 September to 30 September 2019.
CCT’s 3Q 2019 DPU of 2.20 cents comprised an advanced distribution of 0.62 cents for the period from 1 July to 28 July 2019, which was paid out on 29 August 2019 and 1.58 cents for the period from 29 July to 30 September 2019, to be paid out with the 4Q 2019 DPU in February 2020. Based on an annualised YTD September 2019 DPU and closing price of S$2.05 on 22 October 2019, CCT’s distribution yield is 4.3%.
As at 30 September 2019, the Trust’s total deposited property value was S$11.6 billion. Net asset value per unit was S$1.81, after adjusting for distributable income.
The Trust’s unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for 3Q 2019 results are available on its website (www.cct.com.sg) and on SGXNet (www.sgx.com).
Mr Kevin Chee, Chief Executive Officer of the Manager, said: “We have successfully completed the acquisition of a 94.9% interest in Main Airport Center thanks to resounding support from unitholders and investors. Strategically located close to Frankfurt Airport where the office submarket vacancy is at a 10-year low, the committed occupancy for Main Airport Center has risen to 93.1% from 90.0% as at 30 June 2019.”
“CCT’s portfolio comprises 10 assets as at 30 September 2019 – eight in Singapore’s Central Area and two in Frankfurt, Germany. Singapore assets account for 92% of CCT’s portfolio property value while the German properties make up the remaining 8%. Portfolio occupancy remained high at 97.6% as at 30 September 2019 through proactive engagement and negotiating lease renewals ahead of expiries to meet tenants’ space requirements.”
Summary of CCT’s results
|
3Q 2019 |
3Q 2018 |
Change (%) |
YTD Sep 2019 |
YTD Sep 2018 |
Change (%) |
Gross revenue1 (S$’000) |
103,804 |
100,510 |
3.3 |
304,551 |
294,943 |
3.3 |
Net property income (S$’000) |
81,144 |
80,397 |
0.9 |
239,329 |
235,343 |
1.7 |
Distributable income2 (S$’000) |
84,829 |
82,685 |
2.6 |
249,987 |
238,674 |
4.7 |
Distribution per unit (cents) |
2.20 |
2.20 |
0.0 |
6.60 |
6.48 |
1.9 |
1 Improved performance was largely attributed to the acquisition of Gallileo and Main Airport Center, and higher revenue from 21 Collyer Quay, Asia Square Tower 2 and Capital Tower. A one-off compensation sum of S$2.1 million from a tenant at Asia Square Tower 2 for early surrender of lease also contributed to the increase. The higher revenue was offset by the divestment of Twenty Anson and lower revenue from Six Battery Road and Bugis Village.
2 Distributable income includes tax-exempt income of S$3.9 million in 3Q 2019 and S$11.1 million in YTD Sep 2019.
Healthy portfolio leasing
In 3Q 2019, CCT signed approximately 480,000 square feet (sq ft) of new and renewal leases, of which 57% are new. Aside from coworking, new demand came mainly from companies in the Business Consultancy, IT, Media and Telecommunications, Banking, and Financial Services sectors. The majority of the leases committed in 3Q 2019 continue to be signed at rents higher than the respective expiring rents. The Trust only has 4% of leases by committed office net lettable area expiring in 2019, of which more than half are under advanced negotiation.
Through proactive marketing, committed occupancy for CapitaSpring has ramped up to approximately 31% ahead of its scheduled completion in 1H 2021. New take-up for the 51-storey integrated development in Raffles Place comprises two leases for around 45,000 sq ft of space. Each leasing an entire floor, both companies are from the Real Estate and Property Services sector and one of them is The Work Project (Commercial) Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the joint venture between flexible space provider The Work Project and CapitaLand.
CapitaSpring has also inked a Memorandum of Understanding with The Work Project (Commercial) Pte Ltd, tapping on their ‘Work-Meet-Host’ capabilities to operate flex (flexible spaces and amenities) solutions and curate exciting new offerings unique to the development. As flex solutions become an increasingly essential component of tenants’ real estate requirements, CapitaSpring will offer integrated solutions comprising core (conventional workspaces) and flex. Going beyond coworking, CapitaSpring’s flex offerings will include spaces with lifestyle experiences such as a lounge, bespoke office suites, conference rooms and activity-based workspaces.
Proactive Capital Management
Distributable income increased in 3Q 2019 and YTD September 2019 compared to the respective same periods in 2018 partly because of lower interest expense, due to the prepayment of higher interest borrowings with proceeds from the divestment of Twenty Anson in 3Q 2018. We will continue to proactively manage the Trust’s interest expenses. A S$180.0 million secured bank facility at 3.04% per annum under MSO Trust, which holds CapitaGreen, was prepaid with lower interest rate EUR loans on 7 October 2019. The EUR denominated borrowings obtained by CCT was to hedge CCT’s net investment value in Main Airport Center.
With the completion of the acquisition of a 94.9% interest in Main Airport Center and debt drawn down by CCT’s joint ventures, aggregate leverage ratio inched up to 35.5% as at 30 September 2019 compared to 34.8% as at 30 June 2019. However, the average weighted debt term to maturity was maintained around 3.3 years quarter-on-quarter, attributable to drawn down of longer term borrowings.
Outlook
Based on data from CBRE Research, Singapore’s average monthly Grade A office market rent grew at a rate of 6.0% year-to-date 2019 to S$11.45 per square foot as at 30 September 2019. Occupancy in Singapore’s Core CBD office buildings as at end September was 96.0%, inching up from 95.8% as at end June 2019.
Frankfurt’s office market is expected to remain resilient due to decreasing vacancy rates and ongoing pre-commitment for new supply.