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: 162.6pt;"> </td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">ECWREIT</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">SASSR</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">BHGREIT</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 162.6pt;">Period</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">1Q21</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">1Q21</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">1Q21</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 162.6pt;">Gross Revenue (S$ m)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">30.8 (+30.9% YoY)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">EMA Rental Income: 34.1 (+23.4% YoY)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">Not Disclosed</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 162.6pt;">NPI (S$ m)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">27.7 (+30.9% YoY)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">EMA Rental Income (Excluding straight-line adjustments): 32.3 (+27.8% YoY)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">Not Disclosed</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 162.6pt;">DPU (S$ c)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">1.53</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">1.759 (+31.9% YoY)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">Not Disclosed</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 162.6pt;">NAV per Unit (S$)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">0.91</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">0.922</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">Not Disclosed</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 162.6pt;">P/B (x)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">0.81</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">1.00</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">0.64(Based on 4Q20 NAV)</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 162.6pt;">Occupancy (%)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;"> 99.1</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">93.5</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">92.1</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 162.6pt;">Reversion (%)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;"> NA</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">Not Disclosed</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">Not Disclosed</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 162.6pt;">Gearing (%)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">38.3</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">27.6</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">35.6</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 162.6pt;">Cost of Debt (%)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">4.1</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">3.3</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">3.8</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 162.6pt;">1 Yr Fwd Yield (%)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">7.76</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">7.46</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">NA</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 162.6pt;">Debt Hedged (%)</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">100% of offshore facilities</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">Not Disclosed</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">60% of offshore loans</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 162.6pt;">Target Price</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">Under Review</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">NA</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">NA</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 162.6pt;">Rating</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">Under Review</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">NA</td><td style="width: 162.5pt;">NA</td></tr></tbody></table><h3><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ec-world-reit" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22842" rel="noopener">EC World Reit (ECWREIT SP)</a> 1Q21 DPU +32.3% YoY; Robust growth but DI retention persist with retained DI snowballing to S$5.49m</h3><ul><li>Both revenue and NPI grew by 30.9% YoY in 1Q21 to S$30.8m (26.9% BB est.) and S$27.7m (28.1% BB est.), respectively, mainly due to absence of rental rebates in 1Q20 and strengthening of RMB. In RMB terms, gross revenue and NPI were 26.0% and 26.1% YoY higher, respectively</li><li>1Q21 DPU increased 32.3% YoY or 7.4% QoQ to S$1.532c (26.9% BB est.), mainly due to absence of rental rebates given. ECWREIT continued to retain 10% of DI in 1Q21 (vs. 10% in 4Q20 and 5% in 1Q20) on a conservative view of uncertainties arising from prolonged COVID-19 pandemic globally and for general working capital purpose</li><li>ECWREIT has secured renewal of major lease at Hengde Logistics, extending WALE to 3.2 years (by GRI) from 3.1 years as at 31Mar21. ~11.8% of GRI will be due for renewal for the remaining of FY21E</li><li>Portfolio occupancy remains robust at 99.1% (vs. 99.3% in 4Q20 and 96.7% in 3Q20)</li><li>On 30Apr, ECWREIT announced an incident of a displacement and collapse of a berth at Chongxian Port Investment that resulted in the damage of two gantry cranes located within the vicinity of the berth. Due to the location of the damaged area, the operations at the damaged berth and the 2 adjacent berths have been suspended. The rest of the port operation is not affected. The cause of the incident is still being investigated. ECWREIT is working closely with the insurer to assess the quantum of revenue loss and property damage recoverable by insurance claims</li><li>Portfolio gearing stands at 38.3% (vs. 38.1% in 4Q20 and 38.6% in 1Q20) with average cost of debt of 4.1% pa. (vs. 4.2% in 4Q20 and 4.3% in 1Q20) and 100% of offshore facilities hedged</li><li>ECWREIT currently trades at 7.76% FY21E yield and 0.81x P/B.</li></ul>Comments: 1Q21 revenue and NPI came in at 26.5% and 26.0% of our full-year FY21E estimates, respectively. Meanwhile, 1Q21 DPU came in at 27.5% of FY21E estimates. Note that we have assumed a 10% DI retention for FY21E, the higher than expected 1Q21 DPU was due to a lower 1Q21 tax rate at 24.7% (vs. our projected 38.0%). Including 1Q21’s S$1.38m, total retained DI since 1Q20 has amounted to S$5.49m (or S$0.681c per Unit). Port Logistics had done well in 1Q21, with revenue increasing 40.4% YoY to S$12.7m, and NPI increasing 41.8% YoY to S$11.9m (NPI margin +0.9pp. YoY to 93.5%). E-commerce Logistics has also recorded a strong 1Q21 growth, with revenue and NPI rising 32.4% and 30.9% YoY to S$14.7m and S$12.7m, respectively (NPI margin -1.0% to 86.5%). On the other hand, Specialised Logistics was muted in 1Q21, with Revenue and NPI flattish YoY at S$3.4m and S$3.1m, respectively (NPI margin +0.7pp. to 90.7%). While insurance claims could offset the revenue loss and restoration costs somewhat, we are cognizant that Chongxian Port Investment contributed to ~27% and ~28% of FY20 Revenue and NPI, respectively. We are currently reviewing our recommendations for ECWREIT.

SingaporeSREITs results in a glance (see detailed spreadsheet and calendar attached) ECWREITSASSRBHGREITPeriod1Q211Q211Q21Gross Revenue (S$ m)30.8 (+30.9% YoY)EMA Rental Income: 34.1 (+23.4% YoY)Not DisclosedNPI (S$ m)27.7 (+30.9% YoY)EMA Rental Income (Excluding straight-line adjustments): 32.3 (+27.8% YoY)Not DisclosedDPU (S$ c)1.531.759 (+31.9% YoY)Not DisclosedNAV per Unit (S$)0.910.922Not DisclosedP/B (x)0.811.000.64(Based on 4Q20 NAV)Occupancy (%) 99.193.592.1Reversion (%) NANot DisclosedNot DisclosedGearing (%)38.327.635.6Cost of Debt (%)4.13.33.81 Yr Fwd Yield (%)7.767.46NADebt Hedged (%)100% of offshore facilitiesNot Disclosed60% of offshore loansTarget PriceUnder ReviewNANARatingUnder ReviewNANAEC World Reit (ECWREIT SP) 1Q21 DPU +32.3% YoY; Robust growth but DI retention persist with retained DI snowballing to S$5.49mBoth revenue and NPI grew by 30.9% YoY in 1Q21 to S$30.8m (26.9% BB est.) and S$27.7m (28.1% BB est.), respectively, mainly due to absence of rental rebates in 1Q20 and strengthening of RMB. In RMB terms, gross revenue and NPI were 26.0% and 26.1% YoY higher, respectively1Q21 DPU increased 32.3% YoY or 7.4% QoQ to S$1.532c (26.9% BB est.), mainly due to absence of rental rebates given. ECWREIT continued to retain 10% of DI in 1Q21 (vs. 10% in 4Q20 and 5% in 1Q20) on a conservative view of uncertainties arising from prolonged COVID-19 pandemic globally and for general working capital purposeECWREIT has secured renewal of major lease at Hengde Logistics, extending WALE to 3.2 years (by GRI) from 3.1 years as at 31Mar21. ~11.8% of GRI will be due for renewal for the remaining of FY21EPortfolio occupancy remains robust at 99.1% (vs. 99.3% in 4Q20 and 96.7% in 3Q20)On 30Apr, ECWREIT announced an incident of a displacement and collapse of a berth at Chongxian Port Investment that resulted in the damage of two gantry cranes located within the vicinity of the berth. Due to the location of the damaged area, the operations at the damaged berth and the 2 adjacent berths have been suspended. The rest of the port operation is not affected. The cause of the incident is still being investigated. ECWREIT is working closely with the insurer to assess the quantum of revenue loss and property damage recoverable by insurance claimsPortfolio gearing stands at 38.3% (vs. 38.1% in 4Q20 and 38.6% in 1Q20) with average cost of debt of 4.1% pa. (vs. 4.2% in 4Q20 and 4.3% in 1Q20) and 100% of offshore facilities hedgedECWREIT currently trades at 7.76% FY21E yield and 0.81x P/B.Comments: 1Q21 revenue and NPI came in at 26.5% and 26.0% of our full-year FY21E estimates, respectively. Meanwhile, 1Q21 DPU came in at 27.5% of FY21E estimates. Note that we have assumed a 10% DI retention for FY21E, the higher than expected 1Q21 DPU was due to a lower 1Q21 tax rate at 24.7% (vs. our projected 38.0%). Including 1Q21’s S$1.38m, total retained DI since 1Q20 has amounted to S$5.49m (or S$0.681c per Unit). Port Logistics had done well in 1Q21, with revenue increasing 40.4% YoY to S$12.7m, and NPI increasing 41.8% YoY to S$11.9m (NPI margin +0.9pp. YoY to 93.5%). E-commerce Logistics has also recorded a strong 1Q21 growth, with revenue and NPI rising 32.4% and 30.9% YoY to S$14.7m and S$12.7m, respectively (NPI margin -1.0% to 86.5%). On the other hand, Specialised Logistics was muted in 1Q21, with Revenue and NPI flattish YoY at S$3.4m and S$3.1m, respectively (NPI margin +0.7pp. to 90.7%). While insurance claims could offset the revenue loss and restoration costs somewhat, we are cognizant that Chongxian Port Investment contributed to ~27% and ~28% of FY20 Revenue and NPI, respectively. We are currently reviewing our recommendations for ECWREIT.

ASEAN Builder's Scoop (12May21) - ECWREIT strong growth despite retention

Partner, River Valley Asset Management

River Valley Asset Management

Partner

Singapore-based boutique asset management firm

River Valley Asset Management is a Singapore-based boutique asset management firm. Our team at RVAM strongly believes in being a trusted steward of our clients' wealth across generations.

Each of our fund managers has years of rich portfolio management experience over multiple market cycles at world-class investment houses. We bring our clients the combined strength of our investment team to manage their financial portfolios and to provide bespoke guidance on all aspects of their financial health.

We offer multi-asset class expert investment advice to accredited investors who are family offices, high net worth individuals and institutional investors to preserve and grow our clients' wealth.

The fund management team of the company includes Homiyar Vasania, Anand Ramachandran and Jamshed Desai.

As a mature economy with stable businesses, Singapore's equity benchmarks are dominated by Banks &amp; Government Linked Companies (GLC's) which have grown large over time. The large listed companies in Singapore (private as well as GLC’s) are now facing headwinds from tight labour markets resulting in rising costs and, in the absence of growth, the need to focus on raising productivity.  It is therefore not surprising that the Singapore markets do not excite the average investor. However, within this space we have been finding many hidden gems which have consistently delivered and increasingly fit the needs of a Singaporean investor looking for stable returns in a low growth environment: the REIT marketplace. Over the last seven years the REIT index has delivered over 10% p.a. annualized return which stands in stark contrast to the meagre 4% returns from benchmark STI index.

As a mature economy with stable businesses, Singapore's equity benchmarks are dominated by Banks &amp; Government Linked Companies (GLC's) which have grown large over time. The large listed companies in Singapore (private as well as GLC’s) are now facing headwinds from tight labour markets resulting in rising costs and, in the absence of growth, the need to focus on raising productivity.   It is therefore not surprising that the Singapore markets do not excite the average investor. However, within this space we have been finding many hidden gems which have consistently delivered and increasingly fit the needs of a Singaporean investor looking for stable returns in a low growth environment: the REIT marketplace. Over the last seven years the REIT index has delivered over 10% p.a. annualized return which stands in stark contrast to the meagre 4% returns from benchmark STI index.

SGX Market Strategist, Equity & Fixed Income, Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Geoff Howie

SGX Market Strategist, Equity & Fixed Income

Asia’s leading multi-asset exchange

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Singapore Exchange is Asia’s leading and trusted market infrastructure, facilitating the exchange of capital and ideas to create value for people, businesses and economies. As a multi-asset exchange operating equity, fixed income and derivatives markets to the highest regulatory standards, SGX is a vertically integrated business that provides listing, trading, clearing, settlement, depository and data services.

With about 40% of listed companies and over 80% of listed bonds originating outside of Singapore as well as established linkages across the region and in Europe, SGX is Asia’s most international and connected exchange. Offering a full suite of derivatives products across Asian equity indices, commodities and currencies, SGX is the world’s most liquid international market for the benchmark equity indices of China, India, Japan and ASEAN.

As Asia’s pioneering central counterparty, SGX is globally recognised for its risk management and clearing capabilities, and was one of the first globally to adopt the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructure.

Headquartered in AAA-rated Singapore, SGX has over 800 employees including offices in Beijing, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, New York, Mumbai, San Francisco, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>REIT Watch - Performance of S-Reits within the STI On Thursday night (Oct 12), the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in slightly higher than markets had anticipated, leading to higher expectations that the Federal Reserve will likely implement one more interest rate hike before the year ends.</li><li>The three S-Reits with the lowest gearing ratios are: Sasseur Reit (26.2 per cent), Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust (28.6 per cent) and Paragon Reit (29.8 per cent).</li></ul>

REIT Watch - Performance of S-Reits within the STI On Thursday night (Oct 12), the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in slightly higher than markets had anticipated, leading to higher expectations that the Federal Reserve will likely implement one more interest rate hike before the year ends.The three S-Reits with the lowest gearing ratios are: Sasseur Reit (26.2 per cent), Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust (28.6 per cent) and Paragon Reit (29.8 per cent).

REIT Watch - S-Reits among top gainers in STI for week starting Oct 9

<ul><li>Singapore Grade A office rent and core CBD Occupancy According to CBRE Research’s latest Singapore Occupier Sentiment Survey, office utilisation in Asia-Pacific outpaced that in Europe and the US.</li><li>Similarly, MPACT saw positive rental reversions in its latest Q2FY23 update, with Mapletree Business Centre at 7.1 per cent and the rest of Singapore office properties and business parks at 8.9 per cent.</li><li>Looking ahead, MPACT expects rents for business parks to remain flat or stable with minimal growth in 2023 despite the expected rise in vacancy, as new and good-quality business parks will command higher rental rates.</li></ul>

Singapore Grade A office rent and core CBD Occupancy According to CBRE Research’s latest Singapore Occupier Sentiment Survey, office utilisation in Asia-Pacific outpaced that in Europe and the US.Similarly, MPACT saw positive rental reversions in its latest Q2FY23 update, with Mapletree Business Centre at 7.1 per cent and the rest of Singapore office properties and business parks at 8.9 per cent.Looking ahead, MPACT expects rents for business parks to remain flat or stable with minimal growth in 2023 despite the expected rise in vacancy, as new and good-quality business parks will command higher rental rates.

REIT Watch - Positive rent reversions recorded across Singapore office market

Keppel Infrastructure Trust / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>OCBC, CapitaLand Investment, UOBKH lead buyback tally OCBC led the share buyback consideration tally, buying back 1.2 million shares at an average price of S$12.74 per share, followed by CapitaLand Investment, which bought back two million shares at an average price of S$3.03 per share.</li><li>This was due mainly to the increase in revenue from hotel operations of S$34.7 million and rental of investment properties of S$2.3 million.</li></ul>

OCBC, CapitaLand Investment, UOBKH lead buyback tally OCBC led the share buyback consideration tally, buying back 1.2 million shares at an average price of S$12.74 per share, followed by CapitaLand Investment, which bought back two million shares at an average price of S$3.03 per share.This was due mainly to the increase in revenue from hotel operations of S$34.7 million and rental of investment properties of S$2.3 million.

OCBC, CapitaLand Investment, UOBKH Lead Buyback Tally

Singapore

Keppel REIT is a commercial real estate investment trust that invests in a portfolio of prime commercial assets across Asia Pacific's key business districts, including Singapore, Australia, South Korea, and Japan. It aims to generate stable income and sustainable long-term total returns for its unitholders. Keppel REIT was established in 2005 and is headquartered in Singapore.

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Keppel REIT (KREIT SP)

ASEAN Builder's Scoop (12May21) - ECWREIT strong growth despite retention

ECWREIT strong growth despite retention; SASSR rebounded from a low-base; CAPL fund mgmt, resi the bright spots; FPL SG & AUS supporting growth;...

SCCM Asia Research

Singapore - The Hidden Gems

As a mature economy with stable businesses, Singapore's equity benchmarks are dominated by Banks & Government Linked Companies (GLC's) which...

River Valley Asset Management

REIT Watch - S-Reits among top gainers in STI for week starting Oct 9

REIT Watch - Performance of S-Reits within the STI On Thursday night (Oct 12), the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in slightly higher than...

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

REIT Watch - Positive rent reversions recorded across Singapore office market

Singapore Grade A office rent and core CBD Occupancy According to CBRE Research’s latest Singapore Occupier Sentiment Survey, office utilisation...

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

OCBC, CapitaLand Investment, UOBKH Lead Buyback Tally

OCBC, CapitaLand Investment, UOBKH lead buyback tally OCBC led the share buyback consideration tally, buying back 1.2 million shares at an average...

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

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