Saizen REIT: Better than expected DPU.

Saizen REIT reported full year results this morning and declared a DPU of 0.26c, payable on 29 September 2010.  This is better than expected as the REIT did not have a full quarter to accumulate cash for distribution.  They also refinanced GK Choan and had to pay some fees as well as amortise that loan.  Read about it here. 

So, I was expecting a smallish cash distribution of about 0.1c in September.  Instead, a DPU of 0.26c in September, given the difficult conditions, bodes well for the next DPU in December which would have a whole quarter to accumulate cash for distribution to unit holders.  I estimate the DPU in December to be between 0.4 to 0.5c.  Assuming it is 0.4c, that would give an annualised DPU of 1.6c and an annualised yield of 10% at the current unit price of 16c.

Some key numbers from the reports:

1.  Annual valuation of properties (161 Freehold buildings in Japan) declined 4% from a year ago from JPY42,051.1m to JPY40,381.7m.  The rate of decline has slowed and this is in line with the general view that real estate prices in Japan are bottoming.  Read valuation report here.

2.  NAV is still at 40c per unit given the strong JPY.  The JPY is likely to stay strong, given the concerns of weak recoveries in heavily indebted western economies.

3.  NPI yield at 6.7%.  This is above the average of 5% that is required by most pension funds.

4  Gearing level at 36.9%.  This is quite comfortable.

5. Occupancy rate at 91.3%.  This is Saizen REIT's strength as it was able to maintain an occupancy rate of above 90% even through the recession.

Read full report here.

The one last thorn in the sides of Saizen REIT is the CMBS for YK Shintoku.  A punitive interest rate of 7.07% is still being paid to the bondholders.  Successfully refinancing this CMBS with a conventional bank loan at a more reasonable interest rate of about 4% would bring about substantial cost savings and could bump up DPU significantly.  This would be a major positive catalyst for Saizen REIT's unit price to be revalued upwards when it happens.

Discussions with a financial institution on the terms and timing of a loan, which will potentially enable the loan of YK Shintoku to be refinanced, have commenced. Currently, the main impact of the maturity default is the increase in interest rate on the outstanding loan amount from 3.07% per annum to a default interest rate of 7.07% per annum.

I am happy with Saizen REIT's results and look forward to a higher DPU in December.

Saizen REIT's slides presentation here.

Related posts:
Saizen REIT: 3Q FY2010 results.