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<ul>
 <li>
Acquired Entity with a Strong Legacy: <a href="https://smartkarma.com/entities/ara-asset-management">ARA Asset Management</a>, once a prominent listed real estate fund manager on the Singapore Exchange, was delisted in 2017 and subsequently acquired by ESR Group in a US$5.2 billion deal completed in January 2022. The acquisition has created the largest real asset manager in the Asia-Pacific region and the third-largest listed real estate investment manager globally.</li>
 <li>
Diversified Real Asset Platform: Historically, ARA operated a successful, asset-light business model focused on managing a diverse portfolio of public-listed REITs, private real estate funds, and providing property management services. Its investments spanned across office, retail, logistics, hospitality, and residential sectors in key Asian and global markets. This diversified platform is now integrated into the larger ESR Group, with a strategic focus on 'New Economy' real estate such as logistics and data centers.</li>
 <li>
Integration and Future Growth within ESR: The future of the legacy ARA business is now intrinsically linked to the strategic direction of ESR Group. The integration aims to leverage ARA's extensive network of capital partners and its expertise in managing a wide range of real estate asset classes to complement ESR's strength in the industrial and logistics sectors. The combined entity is positioned to capitalize on secular growth trends in the Asia-Pacific region, including e-commerce and digital transformation.</li>
</ul>This content is AI-generated and displayed for general informational purposes only. Please verify independently before use.


  
Acquired Entity with a Strong Legacy: ARA Asset Management, once a prominent listed real estate fund manager on the Singapore Exchange, was delisted in 2017 and subsequently acquired by ESR Group in a US$5.2 billion deal completed in January 2022.  The acquisition has created the largest real asset manager in the Asia-Pacific region and the third-largest listed real estate investment manager globally.
  
Diversified Real Asset Platform: Historically, ARA operated a successful, asset-light business model focused on managing a diverse portfolio of public-listed REITs, private real estate funds, and providing property management services.  Its investments spanned across office, retail, logistics, hospitality, and residential sectors in key Asian and global markets.  This diversified platform is now integrated into the larger ESR Group, with a strategic focus on 'New Economy' real estate such as logistics and data centers.
  
Integration and Future Growth within ESR: The future of the legacy ARA business is now intrinsically linked to the strategic direction of ESR Group. The integration aims to leverage ARA's extensive network of capital partners and its expertise in managing a wide range of real estate asset classes to complement ESR's strength in the industrial and logistics sectors.  The combined entity is positioned to capitalize on secular growth trends in the Asia-Pacific region, including e-commerce and digital transformation.
This content is AI-generated and displayed for general informational purposes only. Please verify independently before use.

Primer: ARA Asset Management (ARA SP) - Apr 2026

Research from SooChow CSSD Capital Markets (Asia), SCCM Asia Research

SCCM Asia Research

Research from SooChow CSSD Capital Markets (Asia)

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<h2>Singapore</h2>
<h3>SREITs results in a glance (see detailed spreadsheet and calendar attached)</h3>
<table class="table table-striped">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 136.6pt;">
 
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
DASIN
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
SASSR
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
BHGREIT
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
CLCT
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 136.6pt;">
Period
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
1Q21
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
1Q21
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
1Q21
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
1Q21
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 136.6pt;">
Gross Revenue (S$ m)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
Not Disclosed in SGD terms; RMB127.3m (+87.4% YoY); or RMB101.6m if w/o Shunde Metro Mall and Tanbei Metro Mall (+51.0% YoY)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
EMA Rental Income: 34.1 (+23.4% YoY)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
Not Disclosed
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
Not Disclosed
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 136.6pt;">
NPI (S$ m)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
Not Disclosed
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
EMA Rental Income (Excluding straight-line adjustments): 32.3 (+27.8% YoY)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
Not Disclosed
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
264.2 (RMB)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 136.6pt;">
DPU (S$ c)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
Not Disclosed
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
1.759 (+31.9% YoY)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
Not Disclosed
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
Not Disclosed
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 136.6pt;">
NAV per Unit (S$)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
1.41 (Based on 4Q20)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
0.922
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
Not Disclosed
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
Not Disclosed
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 136.6pt;">
P/B (x)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
0.510
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
1.00
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
0.64 (Based on 4Q20 NAV)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
0.94 (Based on 4Q20 NAV)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 136.6pt;">
Occupancy (%)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
96.1
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
93.5
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
92.1
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
Retail: 94.4 Business Parks: 92.1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 136.6pt;">
Reversion (%)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
NA
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
Not Disclosed
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
Not Disclosed
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
Not Disclosed
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 136.6pt;">
Gearing (%)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
37.2
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
27.6
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
35.6
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
35.1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 136.6pt;">
Cost of Debt (%)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
NA
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
3.3
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
3.8
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
2.51
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 136.6pt;">
1 Yr Fwd Yield (%)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
6.99
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
7.46
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
NA
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
6.21
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 136.6pt;">
Debt Hedged (%)
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
NA
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
Not Disclosed
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
60% of offshore loans
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
~70
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 136.6pt;">
Target Price
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
S$0.81
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
NA
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
NA
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
NA
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 136.6pt;">
Rating
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
BUY
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
NA
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
NA
</td>
<td style="width: 136.55pt;">
NA
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dasin-retail-trust" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23743" rel="noopener">Dasin Retail Trust (DASIN SP)</a> 1Q21 Business Updates – Revenue recovered to 94% of pre-Covid level; ARA’s strategic stake underscores GBA’s potential</h3>
<ul>
<li>1Q21 revenue (in RMB terms; on same-mall basis) increased 51.0% YoY to ~RMB101.6m. Total revenues of the four malls (IPO portfolio), namely Shiqi Metro Mall, Xiaolan Metro Mall, Ocean Metro Mall and Dasin E-Colour, has recovered to 94% of 1Q19 (pre-pandemic)’s level. Including Shunde Metro Mall and Tanbei Metro Mall (8Jul20), 1Q21 revenue (in RMB terms) increased 87.4% YoY to ~RMB127.3m</li>
<li>Overall portfolio committed occupancy stabilized at 96.1% (vs. 96.5% in 4Q20 and 96.1% in 3Q20). ~9,085sqm (12.7% of total Ocean Metro Mall NLA) of “furniture and finishing” space at the mall has been reconfigured in 4Q20 into a children’s education area, which brought a positive rental reversion of ~46%. Portfolio WALE stood at 5.9 years by NLA and 3.6 years by GRI. ~31.1% of GRI will be due for renewal in FY21E</li>
<li>Portfolio gearing stands at 37.2% (vs. 37.8% in 4Q20 and 38.5% in 3Q20). DASIN is currently negotiating with banks for extension of loans amounting to S$235.2m, which are due on 18Jul21</li>
<li>Mr. Zhang Zhencheng, Chairman and controlling shareholder of the Trustee-Manager, as well as Aqua Wealth Holdings Limited (a controlling unitholder of the Trust), had entered into a sale and purchase agreement with ARA DSRT (Holdings) and ARA Real Estate Investors 22 in pursuance of a strategic partnership with ARA Asset Management. ARA will acquire 50% of interest in the Trustee-Manager from Mr. Zhang Zhencheng, as well as ~5.0% of interest in DASIN from Aqua Wealth Holdings Limited in two separate tranches. The sale of 50% stake in Trustee-Manager and first tranche of DASIN’s units (2.5% stake) is expected to complete by May21</li>
<li>DASIN currently trades at 7.0% FY21E yield and 0.51x P/B.</li>
</ul>
Comments: 1Q21 Revenue forms 23.6% of our full-year FY21E revenue (based on avg. 1Q21 RMB/SGD of 4.8727). We are encouraged by Dasin E-Colour’s strong revenue recovery (to near pre-Covid level) despite a challenging occupancy profile of 86.5% (vs. portfolio average of 96.1% and 1Q20’s 91.9%), thus translating to a robust passing rent at ~RMB125.6psm pm with +107% YoY reversions. Meanwhile, its 2 mature assets, namely Shiqi Metro Mall and Xiaolan Metro Mall (contributed to ~45.6% of 1Q21 revenue), appear to be on track for a sustained recovery – upticks in both occupancy rates and passing rents. The two newly acquired Shunde Metro Mall and Tanbei Metro Mall should provide inorganic boost to with its full-year contributions (vs. 6 mths contributions in FY20). Notwithstanding a challenging leasing market (portfolio occupancy remains below pre-Covid level of 97-98%), DASIN’s lease structure with high fixed components (fixed rent and fixed rent with built-in escalation) at 82.8%% of Mar21 GRI, offer income stability somewhat. We have a BUY rating with TP of S$0.81/Unit for DASIN.
<section class="figure">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/207/030/original/image021.png?1621332221" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="207030"></figure>
</section>

Singapore
SREITs results in a glance (see detailed spreadsheet and calendar attached)




 


DASIN


SASSR


BHGREIT


CLCT




Period


1Q21


1Q21


1Q21


1Q21




Gross Revenue (S$ m)


Not Disclosed in SGD terms; RMB127.3m (+87.4% YoY); or RMB101.6m if w/o Shunde Metro Mall and Tanbei Metro Mall (+51.0% YoY)


EMA Rental Income: 34.1 (+23.4% YoY)


Not Disclosed


Not Disclosed




NPI (S$ m)


Not Disclosed


EMA Rental Income (Excluding straight-line adjustments): 32.3 (+27.8% YoY)


Not Disclosed


264.2 (RMB)




DPU (S$ c)


Not Disclosed


1.759 (+31.9% YoY)


Not Disclosed


Not Disclosed




NAV per Unit (S$)


1.41 (Based on 4Q20)


0.922


Not Disclosed


Not Disclosed




P/B (x)


0.510


1.00


0.64 (Based on 4Q20 NAV)


0.94 (Based on 4Q20 NAV)




Occupancy (%)


96.1


93.5


92.1


Retail: 94.4 Business Parks: 92.1




Reversion (%)


NA


Not Disclosed


Not Disclosed


Not Disclosed




Gearing (%)


37.2


27.6


35.6


35.1




Cost of Debt (%)


NA


3.3


3.8


2.51




1 Yr Fwd Yield (%)


6.99


7.46


NA


6.21




Debt Hedged (%)


NA


Not Disclosed


60% of offshore loans


~70




Target Price


S$0.81


NA


NA


NA




Rating


BUY


NA


NA


NA





Dasin Retail Trust (DASIN SP) 1Q21 Business Updates – Revenue recovered to 94% of pre-Covid level; ARA’s strategic stake underscores GBA’s potential

1Q21 revenue (in RMB terms; on same-mall basis) increased 51.0% YoY to ~RMB101.6m. Total revenues of the four malls (IPO portfolio), namely Shiqi Metro Mall, Xiaolan Metro Mall, Ocean Metro Mall and Dasin E-Colour, has recovered to 94% of 1Q19 (pre-pandemic)’s level. Including Shunde Metro Mall and Tanbei Metro Mall (8Jul20), 1Q21 revenue (in RMB terms) increased 87.4% YoY to ~RMB127.3m
Overall portfolio committed occupancy stabilized at 96.1% (vs. 96.5% in 4Q20 and 96.1% in 3Q20). ~9,085sqm (12.7% of total Ocean Metro Mall NLA) of “furniture and finishing” space at the mall has been reconfigured in 4Q20 into a children’s education area, which brought a positive rental reversion of ~46%. Portfolio WALE stood at 5.9 years by NLA and 3.6 years by GRI. ~31.1% of GRI will be due for renewal in FY21E
Portfolio gearing stands at 37.2% (vs. 37.8% in 4Q20 and 38.5% in 3Q20). DASIN is currently negotiating with banks for extension of loans amounting to S$235.2m, which are due on 18Jul21
Mr. Zhang Zhencheng, Chairman and controlling shareholder of the Trustee-Manager, as well as Aqua Wealth Holdings Limited (a controlling unitholder of the Trust), had entered into a sale and purchase agreement with ARA DSRT (Holdings) and ARA Real Estate Investors 22 in pursuance of a strategic partnership with ARA Asset Management. ARA will acquire 50% of interest in the Trustee-Manager from Mr. Zhang Zhencheng, as well as ~5.0% of interest in DASIN from Aqua Wealth Holdings Limited in two separate tranches. The sale of 50% stake in Trustee-Manager and first tranche of DASIN’s units (2.5% stake) is expected to complete by May21
DASIN currently trades at 7.0% FY21E yield and 0.51x P/B.

Comments: 1Q21 Revenue forms 23.6% of our full-year FY21E revenue (based on avg. 1Q21 RMB/SGD of 4.8727). We are encouraged by Dasin E-Colour’s strong revenue recovery (to near pre-Covid level) despite a challenging occupancy profile of 86.5% (vs. portfolio average of 96.1% and 1Q20’s 91.9%), thus translating to a robust passing rent at ~RMB125.6psm pm with +107% YoY reversions. Meanwhile, its 2 mature assets, namely Shiqi Metro Mall and Xiaolan Metro Mall (contributed to ~45.6% of 1Q21 revenue), appear to be on track for a sustained recovery – upticks in both occupancy rates and passing rents. The two newly acquired Shunde Metro Mall and Tanbei Metro Mall should provide inorganic boost to with its full-year contributions (vs. 6 mths contributions in FY20). Notwithstanding a challenging leasing market (portfolio occupancy remains below pre-Covid level of 97-98%), DASIN’s lease structure with high fixed components (fixed rent and fixed rent with built-in escalation) at 82.8%% of Mar21 GRI, offer income stability somewhat. We have a BUY rating with TP of S$0.81/Unit for DASIN.




ASEAN Builder's Scoop (18May21) - DASIN strategic investment from ARA

<h2>Singapore</h2><h3><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mapletree-commercial-trust" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:106" rel="noopener">Mapletree Commercial Trust (MCT SP)</a> to provide more tenant support amid stricter Covid-19 measures</h3>MCT said it is committed to providing the necessary rental and operating assistance to its retail tenants as Singapore tightens its Covid-19 measures till 13Jun. Since the start of the pandemic, MCT has implemented support packages comprising more than S$70m of rental rebates to help eligible retail tenants offset, on average, more than four months of fixed rent. This includes the passing on of property tax rebates, cash grants from the government and other mandated grants to qualifying tenants. MCT's properties have implemented health and safety protocols.Comments: Rental rebates are likely returning as F&amp;B tenants grapple with no-dining-in restrictions for ~1mo. We understand few tenants at Paragon have already requested for assistance but SPHREIT is still reviewing. We will keep track for every landlord’s decision and report accordingly.

SingaporeMapletree Commercial Trust (MCT SP) to provide more tenant support amid stricter Covid-19 measuresMCT said it is committed to providing the necessary rental and operating assistance to its retail tenants as Singapore tightens its Covid-19 measures till 13Jun. Since the start of the pandemic, MCT has implemented support packages comprising more than S$70m of rental rebates to help eligible retail tenants offset, on average, more than four months of fixed rent. This includes the passing on of property tax rebates, cash grants from the government and other mandated grants to qualifying tenants. MCT's properties have implemented health and safety protocols.Comments: Rental rebates are likely returning as F&amp;B tenants grapple with no-dining-in restrictions for ~1mo. We understand few tenants at Paragon have already requested for assistance but SPHREIT is still reviewing. We will keep track for every landlord’s decision and report accordingly.

ASEAN Builder's Scoop (17May21) - MCT to provide more tenant supports

Singapore and emerging market real estate

Royston Foo

Singapore real estate investment trusts (“S-REITs”) have been one of the best performing sectors on the Singapore stock market in 2018. In view of the surge in selling activities by institutional investors this year, the resilience of the S-REIT sector came as a pleasant surprise to investors. Fundamentals of the S-REIT sector remain strong. The bigger S-REITs continue to perform well, trading close to their book values and at low yields. The small-cap S-REITs (market capitalization below S$1 bil) tends to be worst performers. Whilst valuation may seem attractive, the low valuations are usually attributable to the additional risk premiums that investors require to compensate for the lack of scale, diversification and growth opportunities as well as the poor track record of some of these S-REITs.In the coming year 2019, there are 4 investment themes for the S-REIT sector and below are ideas for investors to position their S-REITs portfolio for these themes:Theme 1: “Safe-haven” asset class for investorsTheme 2: Merger and AcquisitionTheme 3: Growing Overseas Asset ExposureTheme 4: The Rise of Alternative Property Asset Classes

Singapore real estate investment trusts (“S-REITs”) have been one of the best performing sectors on the Singapore stock market in 2018. In view of the surge in selling activities by institutional investors this year, the resilience of the S-REIT sector came as a pleasant surprise to investors. Fundamentals of the S-REIT sector remain strong. The bigger S-REITs continue to perform well, trading close to their book values and at low yields. The small-cap S-REITs (market capitalization below S$1 bil) tends to be worst performers. Whilst valuation may seem attractive, the low valuations are usually attributable to the additional risk premiums that investors require to compensate for the lack of scale, diversification and growth opportunities as well as the poor track record of some of these S-REITs.In the coming year 2019, there are 4 investment themes for the S-REIT sector and below are ideas for investors to position their S-REITs portfolio for these themes:Theme 1: “Safe-haven” asset class for investorsTheme 2: Merger and AcquisitionTheme 3: Growing Overseas Asset ExposureTheme 4: The Rise of Alternative Property Asset Classes

Singapore REIT – 4 Investment Themes for the S-REIT Sector in 2019

Top Singapore property news this week that you need to know:1) <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/9984" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9984:1">OUE Ltd (OUE SP)</a> announced the sale of the office component of OUE Downtown to its 55.9%-owned <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/912" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:912:1">Oue Commercial Real Estate Investment Tr (OUECT SP)</a>  for S$908 mil (S$1,713 psf)2) <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/13301" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13301:1">Ara Asset Management (ARA SP)</a> ’s potential acquisition of Manulife Centre for S$550 mil or S$2,300 psf NLA3) Laguna Park launching its collective sale tender, asking for S$1.48 bil4) More new residential launches in the weeks ahead, after the hungry ghost festival5) Weekly performance of stocks under coverage

Top Singapore property news this week that you need to know:1) OUE Ltd (OUE SP) announced the sale of the office component of OUE Downtown to its 55.9%-owned Oue Commercial Real Estate Investment Tr (OUECT SP)  for S$908 mil (S$1,713 psf)2) Ara Asset Management (ARA SP) ’s potential acquisition of Manulife Centre for S$550 mil or S$2,300 psf NLA3) Laguna Park launching its collective sale tender, asking for S$1.48 bil4) More new residential launches in the weeks ahead, after the hungry ghost festival5) Weekly performance of stocks under coverage

Singapore Property Weekly Recap (8th Sep to 14th Sep) – Billion Dollar Enbloc; Office Transactions

Singapore

ARA Asset Management Limited is a real estate fund management company that focuses on the management of public-listed real estate investment trusts, REITs. The Company manages REITs, private real estate funds, specialist equity funds and offers corporate finance advisory services.

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ARA Asset Management (ARA SP)

Primer: ARA Asset Management (ARA SP) - Apr 2026

Acquired Entity with a Strong Legacy: ARA Asset Management, once a prominent listed real estate fund manager on the Singapore Exchange, was...

αSK Primers

ASEAN Builder's Scoop (18May21) - DASIN strategic investment from ARA

DASIN strategic investment from ARA; ECWREIT privatization on the cards?; Apr21 new home sales robust 122% take-up rate; Hmlet down round...

SCCM Asia Research

ASEAN Builder's Scoop (17May21) - MCT to provide more tenant supports

MCT to provide more tenant supports; ARA increases stake in Kenedix; Provence Residence healthy 53% take-up rate; AREIT 1Q21 driven by inorganic...

SCCM Asia Research

Singapore REIT – 4 Investment Themes for the S-REIT Sector in 2019

Singapore real estate investment trusts (“S-REITs”) have been one of the best performing sectors on the Singapore stock market in 2018. In view of...

Royston Foo

Singapore Property Weekly Recap (8th Sep to 14th Sep) – Billion Dollar Enbloc; Office Transactions

Top Singapore property news this week that you need to know:1) OUE Ltd (OUE SP) announced the sale of the office component of OUE Downtown to its...

Royston Foo

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