KEPPEL PACIFIC OAK US REIT (SGX:CMOU)
Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT - Delivering Stable Returns; Stay BUY
- Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT (SGX:CMOU) delivered another solid quarter with distributable income up 11% y-o-y and an estimated DPU of 1.6 cents (+1% y-o-y), in line with our expectations. Management forecasts leasing velocity to improve in coming quarters with mid-single-digit positive rent reversions expected.
- Minimal impact is expected from rising inflation and utility costs with majority being net leases.
- Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT's valuation remains compelling at 0.9x P/BV vs sector’s 1.1x.
Slight dip in portfolio occupancy but expected to rebound in coming quarters.
- Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT's overall occupancy dipped 0.2ppt to 91.7% mainly due to the departure of tenants at Powers Ferry, Atlanta (67.6%, -16.6ppt) and The Plaza buildings (88.9%, -3.1ppt). This was partially offset by higher occupancies at Iron Point (90.6%, +3.2ppt) and One Twenty Five.
- Management is in discussions with prospective tenants and is confident of backfilling it in coming quarters which should push occupancy higher. Leasing momentum slowed slightly to ~147k sqft (-41% q-o-q) but this is expected to improve with more employees returning back to offices. Physical occupancy of its assets has been increasing at ~55%.
Rents still on a growing trend.
- While rent reversion slightly slowed to +2.4% (FY21 +6%) Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT noted it was mainly due to a combination of markets in which leases expired this quarter. With market rents on a rising trend since 3Q21 and in place rents ~8.9% below asking rents, we expect full year rental reversion to be in positive mid-single digits.
On active lookout for acquisitions and divestment opportunities.
- Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT's gearing is at 37.5% which offers a potential debt headroom to acquire assets of US$100-200m this year in our view. Cap rates in its existing markets are still holding up at 5.5-7.5%.
- Management remains open to divesting some of its smaller assets (potentially Atlanta assets) and recycle capital.
- On The Plaza redevelopment - where plans are underway to build a multifamily asset on top of existing parking garage - it is currently working with authorities on clearing regulatory hurdles and will prove further updates by next two quarters.
Minimal impact from rising rates and utilities.
- As majority of Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT’s leases are on net basis, (i.e. utility and other charges are recovered back) no significant impact is expected except for slightly higher costs on vacant spaces. Its strategy of signing shorter leases also puts it in a good position to negotiate higher rents upon expiry.
- 84% of Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT's debt is hedged and every 50bps increase in rates will have a 1% impact to Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT's DPU.
No changes to our estimates.
- Based on our proprietary ESG model Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT has a score 3.0 (out of 4.0). As this score is in line with country median we have not applied any premium/discount to our DDM-derived target price.
- See
- Keep BUY on Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT with unchanged target price of US$0.92, 23% upside and ~9% yield.
Singapore Research
RHB Securities Research
|
Shekhar Jaiswal
RHB Invest
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https://www.rhbinvest.com.sg/
2022-04-20
SGX Stock
Analyst Report
0.92
SAME
0.92
