Prime US REIT - Phillip Securities 2022-05-23: Healthier Leasing Demand

PRIME US REIT (SGX:OXMU)

Prime US REIT - Healthier Leasing Demand

Prime US REIT (SGX:OXMU)'s 1Q22 distributable income (+19% y-o-y) was in line, forming 25% of our FY22e estimate. It was lifted by the acquisition of Sorrento Towers and One Town Center in Jul2 and higher carpark income.
Leases signed jumped 80% q-o-q; 172k sq ft was signed at +3.4% reversions. Backfilling at Crosspoint (+5.4ppts) and 222 Main (+3.7ppts) was offset by non-renewals resulting in 0.4ppt decline in portfolio occupancy to 89.9%

Upgrade Prime US REIT from ACCUMULATE to BUY, DDM-Target price (COE 9.6%) raised from US$0.94 to US$1.00 as we roll forward our forecast. Our COE nudged up from 9.5% to 9.6% on higher risk-free rate assumption.
Prime US REIT is our top pick in the sector for greater tenant exposure to STEM/TAMI sectors. Catalysts include improved leasing and a greater return to office.

Prime US REIT signed 172k sq ft or 3.9% of portfolio NLA in 1Q22. This was 80% higher q-o-q; 32% of which were new leases. 1Q22 reversions came in at +3.4% compared to +9.8% in 4Q21. Some new leases were signed on space that had been vacant for more than 12 months, and hence are excluded from reversion calculations. The management said that leasing demand was stronger across its market and observed deeper tenant interest lists.
Prime US REIT signed 46k sq ft of leases post quarter, bringing year-to-date reversion to ~6%.

Portfolio occupancy dipped q-o-q from 90.3% to 89.9% despite backfilling at Crosspoint (+5.4ppts) and 222 Main (+3.7ppts). Portfolio occupancy was dragged down by a significant non-renewal at Tower I at Emeryville, bringing occupancy down from 70.4% to 58.9%. Five out of 14 assets have committed occupancies below 90% and require backfilling.
Prime US REIT will continue to recognise pre-termination income for WeWork’s space at Tower I at Emeryville until early-4Q22 and for another pre-termination at One Washingtonian Centre until 3Q22. This could result in potential upside for Prime US REIT should it be able to lease out the space before the pre-termination fee runs out.
Prime US REIT has also started marketing the space for a known non-renewal at Reston Square. The tenant, Whitney, Bradley & Brown, occupies ~50% of space in the asset and will be vacating its lease when it comes due in Jul22.

Leasing activity picked up in 1Q22 with a broader tenant list and interest coming from small, medium and large space users across more industries. With expiring rents ~6% below asking rents, Prime US REIT’s portfolio is primed for more positive rental reversions.

DDM-Target price for Prime US REIT increases as we roll forward our forecast. Our COE increased from 9.5% to 9.6% on higher risk-free rate assumption. Current share price implies FY22e/FY23e DPU yield of 7.6%/8.8%.
Prime US REIT is our top pick in the sector for greater tenant exposure to STEM/TAMI sectors. Catalysts include improved leasing and a greater return to office.
See

Natalie Ong Phillip Securities Research | https://www.stocksbnb.com/ 2022-05-23

SGX Stock Analyst Report BUY UPGRADE ACCUMULATE 1.00 UP 0.940