23 Apr 2021
SINGAPORE, 23 APRIL 2021
Frasers Centrepoint Asset Management Ltd. (“FCAM” or the “Manager”), the manager of Frasers Centrepoint Trust (“FCT” or the “Trust”), is pleased to report distribution per unit (“DPU”) of 5.9961 Singapore cents for the period from 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021 (“1H2021”) which is 28.4% higher year-on-year (“y-o-y”). The books closure date for the 1H2021 DPU is 5.00 p.m. on 3 May 2021 and the payment date is 28 May 2021.
Mr Richard Ng, Chief Executive Officer of FCAM, said, “This is the first set of financial results following the completion of the acquisition (the “ARF Acquisition”) of the remaining 63.11% stake in AsiaRetail Fund Limited (“ARF”) in October last year. Overall performance was boosted by the enlarged retail portfolio and FCT’s financial position remains strong. Our retail portfolio occupancy remained stable at 96.1%, despite the challenging leasing environment, and we have renewed approximately 50% of the expiring leases for the financial year ending 30 September 2021. Our portfolio tenants’ sales registered y- o-y growth of 0.4% in January 2021 and 11.7% in February 2021, ahead of the y-o-y change in the Singapore retail sales value2 of -8.1% and 7.7%, respectively for the same months. The steady roll-out of Singapore’s COVID-19 vaccination programme and continued re-opening of the economy will further support the recovery of shopper traffic and tenants’ sales.”
Summary of 1H2021 results
In S$’000 unless otherwise stated |
1H2021 1/10/20 to 31/3/21 |
1H2020 1/10/19 to 31/3/20 |
Increase/ (Decrease) |
Gross revenue |
173,615 |
99,920 |
73.8% |
Net property income (“NPI”) |
125,658 |
72,283 |
73.8% |
Distribution to Unitholders |
101,097 |
71,023 |
42.3% |
DPU (S cents) |
5.9961 |
4.670 |
28.4% |
Net asset value and net tangible asset value per Unit (S$)3 |
2.31 |
2.21 |
4.5% |
1H2021 results boosted by enlarged retail portfolio post ARF Acquisition
Revenue and NPI for 1H2021 both grew 73.8% to S$173.6 million and S$125.7 million, respectively. The growth was mainly attributed to additional contributions from properties in the ARF portfolio, following the completion of the ARF Acquisition. The ARF Acquisition added approximately five months of contribution post completion of the ARF Acquisition on 27 October 2020. The 1H2021 financial performance was partially offset by the absence of atrium rental revenue due to prevailing restrictions under the COVID-19 safe distancing measures and the divestment of Bedok Point. Distribution to unitholders for 1H2021 is up 42.3% y-o-y to $101.1 million.
FCT’s financial position remains strong
Total assets as at 31 March 2021 stood at approximately S$6.12 billion, up 57.7% from S$3.88 billion as at the end of last financial year on 30 September 2020. The increase was due mainly to the enlargement of FCT’s investment property portfolio, following the completion of the ARF Acquisition. FCT completed the divestment of Bedok Point and Anchorpoint in November 2020 and March 2021 respectively. It had also announced the proposed divestment of YewTee Point, which is expected to be completed in May 2021. Net asset value per unit as at 31 March 2021 was up 4.5% to S$2.31.
FCT’s financial position remains strong with gearing level of 35.2%4 and year-to-date interest coverage ratio of 5.04 times as at 31 March 2021. The year-to-date all-in average cost of borrowing was 2.16%, compared with 2.50% in the same period last year. The proportion of borrowings hedged to fixed rate is 54% as at 31 March 2021, compared with 50% as at 31 March 2020. FCT has undrawn revolving credit facilities totalling S$851 million as at 31 March 2021.
Retail portfolio5 occupancy at 96.1% despite the challenging leasing environment
FCT’s retail portfolio committed occupancy remains resilient at 96.1% despite the challenging leasing environment. A total of 182 leases were renewed in 1H2021. The year-to-date rental reversion of the retail portfolio, on an incoming versus outgoing basis, was at -0.7%6.
Portfolio tenants’ sales registered positive y-o-y growth in January 2021 and February 2021. The recovery rate, however, remains uneven among trade sectors and tenants. Portfolio shopper traffic has remained relatively stable at 60% to 70% of pre-COVID-19 levels.
Staying agile in the “New Normal”
FCT has embarked on multiple strategic initiatives to stay agile in the “New Normal” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. FCT re-constituted its portfolio with dominant suburban retail malls, with the divestments of its three smaller malls, Bedok Point, Anchorpoint and YewTee Point. This enhances FCT’s portfolio resilience and sharpens its cost efficiency. The Manager is also working to ensure adherence to the Frasers Property Group’s sustainability goal to achieve net carbon zero, health & safety ISO standards, GRESB and GreenMark certification for its portfolio properties.
FCT, together with Frasers Property Retail, will continue to invest in its omnichannel retailing initiatives through its Frasers e-Store and Makan Master digital retail platforms and will also leverage the location advantage of its physical malls as “last mile fulfilment hubs”. These digital retail initiatives complement FCT’s strengths as a physical retail space provider, and position FCT strategically for omnichannel retailing, a trend which has been reinforced and accelerated by COVID-19.
On the acquisition front, FCT will continue to explore opportunities in the pipeline of its Sponsor, Frasers Property Limited, and possible third-party opportunities that may present itself from time to time. FCT has ample financial capacity to take advantage of acquisition opportunities as and when they arise.
FCT to voluntarily adopt the Fair Tenancy Code of Conduct from 1 June 2021
On 26 March 2021, an industry-led Fair Tenancy Pro Tem Committee (“Pro Tem Committee”) introduced the Code of Conduct (the “CoC”) for Leasing of Retail Premises in Singapore, which sets out guidelines for the negotiation of lease agreements. The CoC will apply to all retail premises held under a lease agreement entered into on or after 1 June 2021, with a tenure of more than one year. The CoC aims to provide clarity on long-standing tenancy issues between landlords and retail tenants, and to establish industry norms on tenancy practices and terms. While the adoption of the CoC is currently on a voluntary basis, FCT has committed to adopt and abide by the CoC from the effective date of 1 June 2021. New leases in FCT’s portfolio of malls with tenure exceeding one year commencing on or after 1 June 2021 will adopt the guidelines under the CoC. The Manager does not expect the impact of CoC adoption to be significant for this financial year. The Pro Tem Committee has also recommended to the Singapore government for compliance with the CoC to be made mandatory via legislation in due course.
Outlook
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (“MTI”) has maintained Singapore’s GDP growth forecast for 2021 at 4.0% to 6.0%. MTI noted that the domestic COVID-19 situation remains under control and the vaccination programme is underway. The Singapore economy is also expected to see a gradual recovery over the course of 2021, although the outlook remains uneven across sectors.
FCT’s portfolio shopper traffic has remained at between 60% and 70% of pre-COVID-19 levels. Total tenants’ sales of the portfolio have generally recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels even though the recovery among various trade sectors remained uneven.
The Manager has announced on 19 March 2021 the proposed divestment of YewTee Point for S$220 million with completion targeted for 28 May 2021. The estimated net proceeds from the divestment is approximately S$219.9 million and the Manager intends to use the net sale proceeds to repay debt and lower FCT’s gearing. Upon completion of the divestment, FCT’s retail portfolio will comprise nine suburban retail properties: Causeway Point, Northpoint City North Wing (including Yishun 10 Retail Podium), Changi City Point, Waterway Point (FCT holds 40%-interest), Tiong Bahru Plaza, White Sands, Hougang Mall, Century Square and Tampines 1.
In the near-term, the Manager will focus on managing the operating and financial performance of FCT’s portfolio, taking into consideration the ongoing COVID-19 situation.