Frasers L&I Financial Results Ending 31 Mar 2017
"We are heartened that FLT has achieved results ahead of Forecast for the third consecutive financial period. This was made possible on the back of interest cost savings, proactive leasing activities and the acquisition of the three call option properties in late 2016."
Mr. Robert Wallace, Chief Executive Officer
1.75 cents SGD (quarter ending 31 Mar 2017)
FLT exceeds Forecast by 6.7% with 1.75 Singapore Cents DPU for the Quarter ended 31 March 2017
Distributable Income for the Quarter at A$25.1 million is 5.9% above Forecast(1)
Declared distribution of 3.49 Singapore cents for the six month period ended 31 March 2017, exceeding forecast by 6.4%(2)
Lower borrowing costs than Forecast(1)
13,111 sq m of new lease and lease renewals executed
High portfolio occupancy of 99.3%
Frasers Logistics & Industrial Asset Management Pte. Ltd. ("星狮物流工业资产管 理公司"), the manager of Frasers Logistics & Industrial Trust ("星狮物流工业信托") ("FLT", and the manager of FLT, the "REIT Manager"), is pleased to announce FLT's results for the financial quarter ended 31 March 2017 (the "Quarter").
REVIEW OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
FLT recorded gross revenue of A$40.9 million for the Quarter, 1.6% above the Forecast of A$40.3 million. Excluding straight lining rental adjustment, gross revenue was in line with Forecast. Actual property operating expenses was A$6.4 million, 2.3% below Forecast due mainly to an exemption for Absentee Landlord Tax Levy(4) by the Victorian State Government for the 2017 tax year, which was partially offset by provisions for repairs and maintenance costs incurred for some properties that had their leases extended and those undergoing leasing negotiations. As a result, Adjusted Net Property Income for the Quarter was marginally above Forecast at A$30.9 million.
Distributable Income and DPU were A$25.1 million and 1.75 Singapore cents respectively, exceeding Forecasts by 5.9% and 6.7% respectively. The positive variances were mainly attributable to lower trust expenses and interest savings from a lower actual weighted average interest rate of 2.8%(5) per annum, compared to a forecast weighted average interest rate of 3.4%(5) per annum.
Compared to the previous quarter ended 31 December 2016, FLT's distributable income and DPU grew 0.7% and 0.6%, from A$24.9 million and 1.74 Singapore cents, to A$25.1 million and 1.75 Singapore cents.
Mr. Robert Wallace, Chief Executive Officer of the REIT Manager, said, "We are heartened that FLT has achieved results ahead of Forecast for the third consecutive financial period. This was made possible on the back of interest cost savings, proactive leasing activities and the acquisition of the three call option properties in late 2016."
PORTFOLIO UPDATE
13,111 square metres ("sq m") of new lease and lease renewals were completed in the Quarter, bringing total new leases and renewals executed since FLT's listing to 113,956 sq m, or 9.3% of the total Portfolio GLA.
Portfolio occupancy held firm at 99.3% as at 31 March 2017, with a WALE of 6.7 years and minimal lease expiries of 0.2% (by gross rental income) for the financial year ending 30 September 2017.
FLT also has the largest industrial Green Star performance rated portfolio in Australia with 59 tenancies across 48 properties having achieved Green Star Performance ratings. The Green Star rating is provided by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) which assesses properties against nine key performance criteria – energy, water, transport, materials, indoor environment quality, management, land use & ecology, emissions and innovation.
The total value of FLT's portfolio was A$1.75 billion as at 31 March 2017.
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
As at 31 March 2017, FLT's aggregate leverage is 28.9%, providing FLT with available debt headroom for growth. Total borrowings stood at A$530 million, 79% of which are hedged. The weighted average interest rate for borrowings for the Quarter was 2.8% per annum.
FLT has declared a distribution of 3.49 Singapore cents per Unit for the six-month period from 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2017, to be paid on 23 June 2017. The books closure date is 16 May 2017. Together with the distribution of 1.84 Singapore cents per Unit paid on 15 December 2016, FLT has to-date declared/paid total distributions amounting to 5.33 Singapore cents per Unit.
FLT's distribution policy is to distribute 100% of its distributable income to 30 September 2017, and at least 90% of its distributable income thereafter. FLT will make distributions to unitholders on a semi-annual basis for the six-month periods ending 31 March and 30 September.\
Australian industrial property supply levels in 2017 are close to ten-year level highs, with development activity concentrated in Melbourne and Sydney. However, in contrast to the previous construction peak, a higher proportion of the new supply were pre-leased. Sydney remains the strongest leasing market with indications of rental growth. In Melbourne, industrial rents in the western region are essentially unchanged, whilst there has been some evidence of rental growth in the south-east region. Brisbane industrial rents remain under pressure.
Institutional investors are continuing to expand their ownership of industrial assets (particularly within the logistics sector), which diminishes the availability of assets (particularly high-quality assets) for sale. The limited supply for prime grade industrial stock has resulted in firming of investment yields for secondary stock.
"The eastern seaboard of Australia continues to show positive demand for industrial properties, driven by economic growth and healthy leasing activity. Interest rates also remain at historically low levels, fuelling investment demand. With a prime portfolio of 54 properties mostly concentrated in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, coupled with a solid pipeline of Sponsor-developed industrial assets, we remain confident in FLT's ability to pursue long-term value for our unitholders," Mr. Wallace said.
The REIT Manager currently expects FLT to at least meet the FY2017 DPU Forecast of 6.50 Singapore cents contained in the Prospectus barring any unforeseen circumstances.
This news release is for information purposes only and does not constitute or form part of an offer, solicitation or invitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities of FLT in Singapore or any other jurisdiction, nor should it or any part of it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or commitment whatsoever.
The value of the units in Frasers Logistics & Industrial Trust ("Units") and the income derived from them may fall or rise. The Units are not obligations of, deposits in, or guaranteed by the REIT Manager, Perpetual (Asia) Limited, in its capacity as trustee of FLT, FCL, in its capacity as Sponsor of FLT, the Joint Global Coordinators or the Joint Bookrunners.
An investment in the Units is subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. Unitholders have no right to request that the REIT Manager redeem or purchase their Units while the Units are listed. It is intended that Unitholders may only deal in their Units through trading on the SGX-ST. Listing of the Units on the SGX-ST does not guarantee a liquid market for the Units.
This news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual future performance, outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward- looking statements as a result of a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Predictions, projections or forecasts of the economy or economic trends of the markets are not necessarily indicative of the future or likely performance of FLT. The forecast financial performance of FLT is not guaranteed. A potential investor is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based on the REIT Manager's current view of future events.
This news release is not an offer or sale of the Units in the United States. The Units have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements under the Securities Act. Any public offering of the Units in the United States would be made by means of a prospectus that would contain detailed information about FLT, the REIT Manager and its management, as well as financial statements.
This news release is not to be distributed or circulated outside of Singapore. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of United States securities laws or the laws of any other jurisdiction.
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