Asia Real Estate News Tracker, Asia Real Estate Tracker

Asia Real Estate Tracker

Asia Real Estate News Tracker

Tracking developments across Asia's regional real estate markets

Equity Bottom-Up

Jardine Matheson Holdings / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>70% of Senior Directors are confident in data centres, showing faith in their reliability and efficiency despite challenges.</li><li>HPL's acquisition of InterContinental Auckland for $102M marks its entry into the New Zealand market, expanding its portfolio.</li><li>Stuart Grant's appointment as head of Hongkong Land's $8B Shanghai project highlights the company's commitment to growth and development in the region.</li></ul>

70% of Senior Directors are confident in data centres, showing faith in their reliability and efficiency despite challenges.HPL's acquisition of InterContinental Auckland for $102M marks its entry into the New Zealand market, expanding its portfolio.Stuart Grant's appointment as head of Hongkong Land's $8B Shanghai project highlights the company's commitment to growth and development in the region.

Asia Real Estate Tracker (06-Mar-2025): 7/10 Senior Directors Confident in Data Centres, But Talent Shortage Will Widen

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Mandarin Oriental International / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>A sale - partial or otherwise - of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mandarin-oriental-international-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4773:1" rel="noopener">Mandarin Oriental International (MAND SP)</a>'s One Causeway Bay (OCB) was always on the cards. But I didn't see an Offer coming. </li>
<li>Concurrent with the sale of 13 floors of OCB to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd-d7b798e2-202d-4e01-9a1e-799e2ae8f0c7" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-matheson-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19718:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Matheson (JM SP)</a> is seeking to take out MAND's minorities at US$3.35/share by way of a Scheme.</li>
<li>That's a 52.3% premium to undisturbed, and a 53.7% premium to NAV. Unlike the 2021 <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-strategic-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15081:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Strategic (JS SP)</a> Offer, Matheson is required to abstain from voting on this takeover. </li>
</ul>


A sale - partial or otherwise - of Mandarin Oriental International (MAND SP)'s One Causeway Bay (OCB) was always on the cards. But I didn't see an Offer coming. 
Concurrent with the sale of 13 floors of OCB to Alibaba (9988 HK), Jardine Matheson (JM SP) is seeking to take out MAND's minorities at US$3.35/share by way of a Scheme.
That's a 52.3% premium to undisturbed, and a 53.7% premium to NAV. Unlike the 2021 Jardine Strategic (JS SP) Offer, Matheson is required to abstain from voting on this takeover. 


Mandarin Oriental (MAND SP): Matheson's Full Offer

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector

ASIA CONSUMER: INSIGHTS AND INVESTMENT IDEAS

Investory

Investory is a Singapore-based boutique independent equity research firm founded in January 2017 with a primary focus on consumption themes across Asia-Pacific.

We aim to generate investible ideas based on consumption trends and outlook. We screen our ideas on several parameters - product potential, long-term growth and management commitment being the most critical.  We follow a fundamental analysis approach in our stock selection process and are not restricted by market cap.

We aspire to grow into a leading source of unbiased research, free of conflict of interest, for investors yearning for independent and disciplined analysis. 

We also undertake bespoke research mandates to support our Institutional clients’ investment needs.

Our team comprises of professionals with extensive experience in the Asian equity markets, in areas ranging from research, servicing institutional clients and investment management.

DFI Retail Group Holdings / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>DFI Retail’s strategic shift from portfolio investor to focused operator has unlocked over US$900 million, with US$600 million returned to shareholders via a US¢44.3 per share special dividend announced yesterday.</li>
<li>Underlying profit rose 39% in 1HFY2025, driven by lower financing costs and strong performance in the Health &amp; Beauty segment.</li>
<li>On its investor call, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dfi-retail-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7427:1" rel="noopener">DFI Retail Group Holdings (DFI SP)</a> acknowledged sector headwinds and outlined plans for cost control, margin focus, and digital monetisation to offset weak revenue growth.</li>
</ul>


DFI Retail’s strategic shift from portfolio investor to focused operator has unlocked over US$900 million, with US$600 million returned to shareholders via a US¢44.3 per share special dividend announced yesterday.
Underlying profit rose 39% in 1HFY2025, driven by lower financing costs and strong performance in the Health &amp; Beauty segment.
On its investor call, DFI Retail Group Holdings (DFI SP) acknowledged sector headwinds and outlined plans for cost control, margin focus, and digital monetisation to offset weak revenue growth.


DFI Retail (DFI SP): Up 90% in a Year + Special Dividend. Cash Out or Hold Tight?

<ul>
<li>The upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System and the ease of cross-border movements could impact Singapore’s retail sector as more consumers may choose to spend across the border.</li>
<li>DFI Retail CEO cited this as rationale for exiting Singapore based grocery retail business under Cold Storage and Giant's brands. Sheng Siong group said it will carefully monitor this development.</li>
<li>Singapore retail prices for branded consumer discretionary and staples are between 30%-50% higher than in Malaysia. With greater ease of commute and shipping, this price differential may not be sustainable.</li>
</ul>


The upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System and the ease of cross-border movements could impact Singapore’s retail sector as more consumers may choose to spend across the border.
DFI Retail CEO cited this as rationale for exiting Singapore based grocery retail business under Cold Storage and Giant's brands. Sheng Siong group said it will carefully monitor this development.
Singapore retail prices for branded consumer discretionary and staples are between 30%-50% higher than in Malaysia. With greater ease of commute and shipping, this price differential may not be sustainable.


Singapore Retail Sector: Will It Be Impacted by Improved Connectivity with Malaysia?

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-cycle-carriage-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:347:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Cycle &amp; Carriage (JCNC SP)</a>'s current implied stub value is around its highest-ever level.</li>
<li>The simple ratio of JCNC/<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/astra-international-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:46:1" rel="noopener">Astra International (ASII IJ)</a> is around its highest level outside the 2008 GFC.</li>
<li>A weak Indonesian rupiah is likely a factor. Still, JCNC is trading rich to its NAV. A takeover from parent <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-matheson-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19718:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Matheson Holdings (JM SP)</a> is idealistic.</li>
</ul>



Jardine Cycle &amp; Carriage (JCNC SP)'s current implied stub value is around its highest-ever level.
The simple ratio of JCNC/Astra International (ASII IJ) is around its highest level outside the 2008 GFC.
A weak Indonesian rupiah is likely a factor. Still, JCNC is trading rich to its NAV. A takeover from parent Jardine Matheson Holdings (JM SP) is idealistic.


Singapore

Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited is a multinational enterprise with a portfolio of businesses focused on the Asia-Pacific region. The Group's activities include financial services, supermarkets, consumer marketing, engineering and construction, automobile trading, insurance broking, property investment, and hotels.

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Jardine Matheson Holdings (JM SP)

Asia Real Estate Tracker (06-Mar-2025): 7/10 Senior Directors Confident in Data Centres, But Talent Shortage Will Widen

Senior Directors optimistic about data centres but concerned about talent shortage, HPL acquires InterContinental Auckland for $102M, Hongkong Land...

Asia Real Estate Tracker

Mandarin Oriental (MAND SP): Matheson's Full Offer

The Scheme Doc is out for MAND. The Court Meeting is the 8th December. As previously noted "the Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee, which has...

David Blennerhassett

DFI Retail (DFI SP): Up 90% in a Year + Special Dividend. Cash Out or Hold Tight?

Looking ahead, DFI faces a value-conscious consumer landscape and intense competition. With profit growth expected to moderate to single digits...

Devi Subhakesan

Singapore Retail Sector: Will It Be Impacted by Improved Connectivity with Malaysia?

Singapore's branded consumer retail margins and retail rental yield are at risk when easier border crossing access to Malaysia could prompt more...

Devi Subhakesan

Jardine Cycle & Carriage Is A Short

Jardine Cycle & Carriage's premium to NAV is not justifiable. I'd look to reverse the stub here - Short JCNC, Long Astra.

David Blennerhassett

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