The Positives
+ Committed occupancy recovered to 97.0% from 93.5% in 2H20. Occupancy recovered in four malls: Beijing Wanliu, Chengdu Konggang, Hefei Mengchenglu and Hefei Changjiangxilu. Occupancy remained full at the remaining two malls: Xining Huayuan and Dalian Jinsanjiao.
+ Increase in gross revenue and net property income. The recovery in its gross revenue and property income was underpinned by healthy occupancy. The main contributor to the increase was Beijing Wanliu mall, with gross revenue increasing 19% to S$20mn. No rental rebates were given in 2H21. Rents for new and renewed leases continued to recover.
The Negative
– Higher property operating expenses. Property operating expenses increased 17.3% YoY, due to the gradual resumption of malls’ normal operations and absence of COVID-19 subsidies from the government.
Outlook
China’s GDP grew 8.1% in 2021. Retail sales of consumer goods recovered in tandem, by 12.5% YoY to RMB44.1tn. Urban residents’ disposable income per capita improved 12.6% YoY.
BHG REIT’s portfolio has again proved its resilience, with continued recovery in portfolio occupancy and higher gross revenue, despite the COVID-19 Omicron wave in 2H21. Gearing remained healthy at 34.1%, providing comfortable debt headroom to pursue M&A growth opportunities.
