The Positives
+ FY21 NPI missed, but DPU met expectations. Revenue and NPI were lower than expected at 92.4%/91.6% of FY21e estimates, attributable to a decline in rental income during Phase 2HA. That said, annualised FY21 gross revenue and NPI were still 5.6%/5.4% higher YoY. This was due to lesser rental waivers for 313@somerset. Expenses were higher in FY21 mainly because of provisions for doubtful debts of S$2.3mn. Distributable income and DPU were in line, at 99%/98.7% of our FY21e estimates. They were aided by higher net FX gains of S$5.4mn in 2H21.
The Negative
– Lower portfolio valuation. Both 313 and Sky Complex’s fair values fell 2.5%, attributable to higher discount rates of 6.15-6.75% vs. 6.00-6.75% in FY20. The valuers also project longer rent-free periods of 1-2 years and lower renewal rates. This was partially offset by a slightly higher 10-year average market rental growth rate of 2.85%, up 0.05% from the previous year. Overall, portfolio valuation dipped 1.2%, held up by the Grange Road carpark redevelopment. LREIT was appointed project manager for this site on 18 February 2021.
Outlook
2H21 tenant sales and mall visitors grew 33.7% and 6.2% YoY respectively, from their low bases in 2H20 during Singapore’s circuit breaker. 313’s occupancy inched up QoQ from 98.6% to 99.2%, after LREIT secured three new tenants in 4Q21. To replace Forever 21’s lease which expired in FY21, LREIT brought in Marks and Spencer on a short-term lease of less than a year. M&S is looking to extend its lease while LREIT has a few other prospects interested in the space.
Tenant sales and mall visitors may remain muted even as Singapore resumes economic and community activities in a calibrated way. Demand for retail space is likely to remain soft with continued safe distancing and border closures. Although rental reversions are improving QoQ, they remain negative, in the double digits. Weak demand may continue to weigh on 313’s rentals. Office vacancy in Milan was stable at 9.6% in 1Q21. With a long WALE of 10.9 years, income contributions from Sky Complex are expected to be resilient.
Grange Road’s carpark redevelopment is expected to commence at end-2021. Development costs may increase 20-30% from the S$10mn guided previously due to supply and manpower constraints. In mitigation, LREIT has managed to unlock additional NLA which is not part of its initial calculations. Returns on investment are still expected to be in the mid-teens.
On 7 June 2021, LREIT completed its acquisition of a 13.25% stake in Jem via its acquisition of a 53% interest in Lendlease Jem Partners Fund Limited. LREIT is in the midst of completing its acquisition of the 3.75-14.8% stake in Jem, via an acquisition of a 5-19.8% stake in Lendlease Asian Retail Investment Fund 3 (ARIF3). Both investments will cost S$204.1-337.3mn. Should LREIT acquire 19.8% of ARIF3, it will own up to 31.8% in Jem. The acquisitions will be financed by internal cash, debt facilities and proceeds from its recent issuance of perpetual securities. Based on proforma 1H21 numbers, they are expected to be yield-accretive, at 3%.
If LREIT acquires the 19.8% stake in ARIF3, its portfolio will expand by 18% to S$1.8bn. Apart from increased exposure to the suburban retail segment which has been resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic, 313 – LREIT’s largest asset – would represent no more than 56% of its enlarged portfolio, reducing its concentration risks. Furthermore, LREIT could potentially increase its strategic stake in Jem further, to support its near-term growth plans.
Downgrade to NEUTRAL from ACCUMULATE; DDM target price climbs to S$0.87 from S$0.82. We lower FY22e revenue and NPI estimates by 6% and 4% respectively to reflect slower rent growth. On the other hand, our TP rises as we roll over to FY22. We assume that LREIT will complete its acquisition to own 31.8% interest in Jem and acquire an additional 5% stake by the end of FY22. This will be funded via internal cash and debt. Recent share-price rally of 16% has priced in its positives, in our view. Downgrade from ACCUMULATE to NEUTRAL.
