Mapletree Industrial Trust - Phillip Securities 2016-10-25: Momentum in Hi-Tech Buildings segment

MAPLETREE INDUSTRIAL TRUST ME8U.SI

Mapletree Industrial Trust - Momentum in Hi-Tech Buildings segment

S$84.21mn gross revenue in line with consensus expectations of S$84.73mn and our forecast of S$84.22mn.
2.83 cents DPU exceeded consensus expectations of 2.70 cents by 4.8%; and in line with our forecast of 2.78 cents.
Phase One of BTS project obtained its TOP on October 21.

Portfolio occupancy dipped marginally quarter-on-quarter (qoq) to 92.5% from 93.0%.
Average portfolio passing rent was unchanged at S$1.92 psf/month. Lower qoq portfolio occupancy was due to Business Parks and Stack-Up/Ramp-Up segments.
Rental reversions for the various segments ranged between -2.3% and +2.7%, with the weighted average of +0.7% for the portfolio (+0.5% in 1QFY17).
Management shared that it would be a concern if portfolio occupancy falls below 90%; and it would have to recalibrate the existing leasing strategy.

Portfolio weighted average lease expiry (WALE) stands at 2.8 years. Management views the 6.8% of leases expiring in 2HFY17 "business as usual". 32.8% of leases expiring in FY18 is a concern to us, as the current oversupply condition could persist until then, resulting in negative rental reversions and lower occupancy.
Management did share however, that there are no concentrated leases expiring in FY18 that come to mind. Management thinks that the oversupply situation will improve in 2018, with the absorption of supply.

Phase one of the Hewlett-Packard build-to-suit (BTS) project had obtained its Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) on October 21. Management expects rental contribution to commence on December 1. Phase Two should be completed in another six months.
Construction works at the Kallang Basin 4 Cluster asset enhancement initiative (AEI) project had commenced in August 2016. The project is on track to be completed in 1Q CY2018.
Management shared that the property remains 0% pre-committed, and would expect better clarity only six months prior to completion of the project.

Gearing remains low at 29.0% and there is firepower to make acquisitions.
Management remains open to acquiring outside of Singapore.
Management did highlight that data centres are a possible segment, as there is strong demand for the asset class.

Our forecasts remain largely intact and fair value is marginally higher.
We are expecting some short-term pain with lower qoq DPU over the next three quarters, due to the rent free-period for the Hewlett-Packard BTS being spread across 18 months.

Richard Leow cFTE Phillip Securities | http://www.poems.com.sg/ 2016-10-25

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