KEPPEL REIT (SGX:K71U)
Keppel REIT - A Mixed Bag; Stay NEUTRAL
- Maintain NEUTRAL, Target Price revised to SGD1.20 from SGD1.12, 5% downside.
- KEPPEL REIT (SGX:K71U)’s 2Q19 results are in line. Key positives ahead are strong rental growth potential and acquisition contributions, offset by downtime from tenant movements and absence of rental support.
- Valuations are fair, with FY19F yield of 4.4% (P/BV of 0.9x). We cut COE by 20bps to 7% to better reflect the prolonged low interest rate environment – which resulted in our higher Target Price.
Room for organic rental rate growth to offset lack of income support.
- About 272,900 sqf (attributable ~112,600 sqf) of leases were signed in 1H19, with rental reversions coming in strongly at +15%.
- With average expiring rents for 2H19/2H20/2H21 expiring leases being at SGD10.70/9.70/9.60 psf (10-20% below current signing rates), we see good room for rental growth ahead. This, in our view, should help offset the absence of rental income support (~SGD8.6m for 2018) which were fully utilised by 1Q19.
Downtime tenant.
- UBS One Raffles Quay (ORQ), will be vacating the space to see strong demand for the space, considering the current market momentum – but there is likely to be an earnings void of ~3-6 months during the transition period.
- Similarly, HSBC Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) in May 2020, with the fit-out period commencing in 4Q19.
- Separately, Deutsche Bank, which has announced major restructuring plans for its Asia-Pacific operations, occupies ~200,000sqf at ORQ. Under the current lease term (which extends until 2025), management noted that the tenant will not be able to return the office space, but can potentially sub-lease some of its existing space.
Maiden Tower, 311SS to contribute from 2H20 onwards.
- During 2Q, Keppel REIT completed the acquisition of T Tower in Seoul which contributed SGD1.3m for the quarter. The asset was acquired at an initial NPI yield of 4.7%.
- Construction of 311 Spencer Street (311 SS, 50% stake) is on track for completion by 1H20, with earnings contributions expected to kick in from 2H20 onwards.
Share buybacks limit.
- Keppel REIT plans to continue its unit buy-back programme, as management still undervalued. During 2Q, it purchased and cancelled SGD1.26 unit.
DPU and Target Price adjustments.
- We revise FY19-21F DPU by 1%/-1%/2%, after on and occupancy changes.
Vijay Natarajan
RHB Securities Research
|
https://www.rhbinvest.com.sg/
2019-07-16
SGX Stock
Analyst Report
1.20
UP
1.120
