LMIR: 1Q 2012 DPU 0.69c.

I remember saying that LMIR was too cheap to sell in December last year. It was trading at 36.5c a unit then.

I also remember saying that unitholders should be more patient after the rights issue because the REIT's DPU would bump up in time. The rather low DPU of 0.53c for 4Q 2011 would not be the norm. I estimated the norm to be a DPU of 0.815c per quarter or 3.26c per year. In fact, quarterly DPU could surprise on the upside in time.

LMIR announced a higher DPU for 1Q 2012 as expected but the quantum of 0.69c is lower than the 0.815c I estimated. Is the management taking too long to deliver the goods, post rights issue?

I have, of course, questioned the quality of the management a few times before and readers who have been following my blog from its inception would remember some scathing remarks I had made in the past.

Whatever the negativities, LMIR, with its very low gearing level of 9.2% and interest cover ratio of 13.3x, would take a fool of epic proportion to sink. Therefore, it remains, in my opinion a bullet proof REIT with plenty of room to grow.

What is worth highlighting is that any further growth is likely to be funded 100% by debt and, thus, DPU would grow, everything else remaining equal.

For anyone investing for income with a good dose of patience, investing in LMIR could be a very rewarding decision. So, is it a good time to buy into LMIR now?

Well, at last Friday's close of 42.5c, the annualised distribution yield, using 1Q 2012's DPU of 0.69c, is 6.49%. This is not attractive enough for me to add to my long position.

Assuming that the REIT would, over the course of 2012, deliver a DPU of 3.26c as per my estimates, the distribution yield would be 7.67% at the same unit price of 42.5c. This is definitely more attractive but it would mean investors must be more optimistic and place more confidence in the management to deliver. This is a judgement call.

Investors could consider adding if price should weaken to offer distribution yields upwards of 8% for a bigger margin of safety. Is this to be based on annualising 1Q 2012's DPU or the DPU I estimated, post rights? That's your call.

Related posts:
1. LMIR: Too cheap to sell.
2. LMIR: 4Q 2011 results.

See press release: here.

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Suntec REIT: Q1 2012 DPU 2.453c.

I still retain a small position in Suntec REIT at a cost price of about S$1.00 a unit which I purchased towards the tail end of the last financial crisis. This small position is free of cost, actually, since the gain from selling most of my investment in the REIT more than covers its cost. For me, this is what some would call a pillow stock. Sleep on it and get free money.

Gearing: 37.4%

Interest cover ratio: 4.2x

Credit rating: Baa2

NAV/unit: $1.962

DPU: 2.453c (XD 30 April. Payable on 29 May.)

Would I add to my long position or would I sell? I would not be doing either. The REIT's unit price at $1.285 is not expensive but neither is it cheap. So, I am keeping the status quo.

Although the office market remained subdued in the first quarter of 2012, the trust said its overall committed occupancy for the office portfolio enjoyed a strong occupancy of 99.4 per cent as at 31 March 2012.

Committed occupancy for the retail portfolio stood at 97.3 per cent as at 31 March 2012.

The trust is starting asset enhancement works at Suntec City, which is expected to complete by the second quarter of 2013.

Several established brands have signed up for retail space in the newly refurbished Suntec City Mall, including Swedish clothing giant H&M, which will take up 20,000 square feet.

Another major international fashion retailer has also committed approximately 22,000 sq ft with the mall.

In the coming year, the trust said it will focus on the smooth execution of its refurbishment works for Suntec City Mall as well as maintain a high occupancy level for the rest of the mall.

Source: CNA, 24 April 2012.

See slides presentation: here.