-->

Keppel DC REIT - Phillip Securities 2020-07-22: Premium For A Future-Ready Asset Class

KEPPEL DC REIT (SGX:AJBU) | SGinvestors.io KEPPEL DC REIT (SGX:AJBU)

Keppel DC REIT - Premium For A Future-Ready Asset Class

  • Keppel DC REIT (SGX:AJBU)'s 1H20 DPU of 4.375 cents was in line, forming 49% of FY20e DPU estimates.
  • Portfolio metrics healthy – long WALE of 7.4 years, portfolio occupancy at 96.1% and AEIs to drive revenue growth.
  • Reiterate NEUTRAL on Keppel DC REIT with a higher target price of $2.57 (previously $2.31). We raised our terminal growth rate assumption from 1.5% to 2.0% to better reflect Keppel DC REIT acquisition-driven 5-year DPU CAGR of 2.7%.
  • While we like Keppel DC REIT for its strong portfolio metrics and future-ready asset class, we think that upside is limited given the strong rally in prices and yields at c.3%, which are not compelling.





The Positives


No out-of-pocket rental rebate to tenants

  • No out-of-pocket rental rebate to tenants but passed on the property tax rebates by the government to Singapore tenants. All tenants remain current with rents.

$2.8mn tax savings p.a. upon attainment of tax transparency for KDC 4

  • KDC 4 attained of tax transparency status on 25 May 2020, which will result in some $2.8mn worth in tax savings. An extended land lease title at KDC 4 by 30 years till June 2050 (cost $5mn). Despite some anticipated delays, the tax transparency status was attained within c.7 months after acquisition on 31 October 2019, within the estimated 6 to 9-month gauge based on past application.

Early lease renewal negotiations reduced FY21 expiries from 10.75 to 6.2% by NLA as at end-June 2020.

  • Keppel DC REIT has 2.6% of total net lettable area (NLA) up for renewal in 2H 2020. The Manager has started engaging clients for early renewals and brought down the total NLA due for expiry in 2021 from 10.7% as at end 2019 to 6.2% as at 30 June 2020.


The Negatives


Delay in AEI and development timelines due to lockdowns.

  • Keppel DC REIT has several AEIs ongoing – Dub 1 (increase energy efficiency, TBC 2H20), KDC SG 5 (conversion of 15.8% NLA from non-DC space to DC), DC1 (fit out of shell & core space, TBC 1H21) and the development of Intellicentre 3 (delayed from 4Q20 to 1H21). AEIs for Dub 1 and Dub 2 have resumed following a 2-month lockdown, however construction works in Singapore remain suspended due to government policies on foreign workers residing in dormitories.
  • While development works in Australia were allowed to continue through the pandemic, delay in certain supplies may result in delays.

Gearing increased from 30.7% to 34.5%

  • Keppel DC REIT's gearing increased from 30.7% to 34.5% as at 30 June 2020, as expected, due to acquisition of Kelsterbach DC (Germany, TBC 1H20) and the balance of the 999-year land lease for KDC Dub 1. However, with Keppel DC REIT‘s strong balance sheet and high-interest coverage ratio of 12.8x, we view this utilisation of gearing headroom favourably.


Outlook


Acquisition timeline thwarted by travel restrictions.

  • Keppel DC REIT is negotiating several third-party deals, some of which are in advanced stages. However, travel restrictions have made asset viewing impossible. Increase in potential buyers may lead to bidding-up of prices.


Maintain NEUTRAL with a higher target price of $2.57 (previously $2.31)






Natalie Ong Phillip Securities Research | https://www.stocksbnb.com/ 2020-07-22
SGX Stock Analyst Report NEUTRAL MAINTAIN NEUTRAL 2.57 UP 2.310



Advertisement



MOST TALKED ABOUT STOCKS / REITS OF THE WEEK



loading.......