The manager of CapitaLand Ascendas REIT A17U (CLAR) has reported a portfolio occupancy of 93.3% for the 1QFY2024 ended March 31, 1.1 percentage points (ppt) lower y-o-y and down 0.9 ppt q-o-q.
The average portfolio rent reversion of leases renewed in 1QFY2024 was 16.9%, and the manager expects FY2024 rental reversion to be in the positive mid-single digit range.
For the 1QFY2024, the REIT’s weighted average lease expiry (WALE) by gross revenue stood at 3.9 years, with no y-o-y change. Meanwhile the weighted average lease term of new leases signed in 1QFY2024 was 4.4 years and contributed 1.2% of total gross revenue.
During the quarter, CLAR completed the divestment of 77 Logistics Place, 62 Sandstone Place and 92 Sandstone Place, three logistics facilities in Queensland, Australia for a total of AU$73.0 million ($64.2 million).
As at end-March, CLAR’s aggregate leverage stood at 38.3%. About 82.6% of its borrowings are on fixed rates with an average term of 3.4 years.
The REIT has $530 million of borrowings due to be refinanced in FY2024.
See also: IHH Healthcare’s 3QFY2024 patmi remains flat at RM534 mil
For this period, CLAR maintained a high level of natural hedge of about 75% for its overseas investment to minimise the effects of any adverse exchange rate fluctuations.
The REIT has $551.0 million of ongoing projects in Singapore that will contribute to improving its portfolio quality, ranging from redevelopments to asset enhancement initiatives. These are expected to progressively complete from 3Q2024 onwards.
The manager notes that the global economy’s “stable but slow” outlook reflects continued restrictive monetary policies to fight inflation, withdrawal of fiscal support as well as low underlying productivity growth.
See also: Marco Polo Marine reports lower 2HFY2024 earnings of $10.7 mil, down 42% y-o-y
Notwithstanding, the manager believes CLAR is well-positioned with its strong balance sheet and investment grade credit rating to seize growth opportunities to deliver sustainable returns and greater value to unitholders.
Units in CLAR closed 1 cent lower or 0.39% at $2.55 on April 22.
