Mapletree Industrial Trust: A simple analysis.

I looked at the results of Mapletree Industrial Trust (MIT) briefly when it was announced a few days ago. It didn't interest me much and so, I did not blog about it. Someone asked me a couple of days ago what I thought of it and if I would invest in the trust now.

I like industrial properties S-REITs because they probably offer a more stable source of passive income compared to office S-REITs or retail S-REITs. At least, in theory, that's how it is. I also like First REIT which is into healthcare properties. I usually choose to invest in REITs with relatively higher yields compared to their peers in the same sector. After all, investing for income, distribution yield has to be a very important consideration.

MIT's distribution yield, at the last done price of $1.08 per unit and an annualised DPU of 7.72c, is about 7.15%. I cannot say I am excited by the yield. Investing in AIMS AMP Capital Industrial REIT, Cache Logistics Trust or Sabana REIT would give a higher distribution yield.

At $1.08, MIT is also trading above its NAV/unit of 95c (a rich premium of 13.7%). MIT has a gearing level of 36.1% and an interest cover ratio of 6.6x. Occupancy rate is at 93.2%. So, we could possibly see distributable income increasing again in future if occupancy rate improves. This could bump up DPU by a few % but distribution yield would probably not surpass 7.8% even so (ceteris paribus).

Some numbers for easy comparison:

AIMS AMP Capital Industrial REIT (20.5c):
Yield: 9.76%.
NAV/unit: 27c (24% discount).
Gearing: 32%.
Interest cover ratio: 5.7x.

Cache Logistics Trust (95.5c):
Yield: 8.18%
NAV/unit: 88c (8.5% premium).
Gearing: 26.4%
Interest cover ratio: 9.5x.

Sabana REIT (94.5c):
Yield: 9.3%.
NAV/unit: 98c (3.6% discount).
Gearing: 24.9%
Interest cover ratio: 7.9x

For people who were lucky enough to invest in MIT during at its IPO at 93c per unit and are still holding on, they would be enjoying a distribution yield of 8.3% which is more attractive. What about investing in MIT now? The biggest attraction in investing in MIT now is probably its pedigree. Mapletree is, after all, an arm of Temasek Holdings. Ironclad? Probably.

What about Mapletree Logistics Trust (MLT) which has expanded through acquisitions? Back in July 2010, I mentioned that I was wary of this trust because of its high gearing of 43.6%. The management has since brought the gearing level down through equity fund raising. Its numbers are now somewhat stronger:

Mapletree Logistics Trust (90.5c):
Yield: 6.85%.
NAV/unit: 85c (6.5% premium).
Gearing: 39.4%.
Interest cover ratio: 6.7x

MLT's distribution yield is even lower compared to MIT's. Its gearing is also higher. MLT's occupancy rate is >98% and has less room to increase revenue by filling vacancies compared to MIT. If I have to choose between MLT and MIT, the latter has my vote.

See MIT presentation slides here.
See MLT presentation slides here.

Sabana REIT: Fundamental analysis.

Sabana REIT closed at $1.02 and touched a low of 97c at one point today. After the rather strong performance by MIT and GLP on debut not so long ago, the unenthusiastic response to Sabana REIT on its first day of trading by market participants was somewhat surprising. Let us do an analysis of the REIT and whether it is a good investment at the current price.

Sabana REIT has an aggregate leverage of 26.5% which is comfortable but bear in mind that a Shariah compliant REIT cannot lever beyond 35% while other REITs are quite comfortable levering to 45%. Its NAV per unit is 99c. So, it is trading at a slight premium to NAV and at 97c, the low of the day, it was only at a slight discount to NAV.

The total GFA of all its properties is 3,286,220 sq ft.  Its largest property which has a GFA of 810,710 sq ft has a remaining lease of 45 years. The rest of its properties have remaining leases of between 22 and 72 years. Three properties have remaining leases of 31 years or less and their combined GFA is 706,055 sq ft. Nothing irregular here. Although close to a quarter of its GFA would come to an end in 31 years or less, it does not seem worrisome at this point in time.

The REIT has an occupancy rate of near 100%. This is a good thing but it also means that there is little room to increase occupancy and revenue through renting out more space. 59.5% of its leases (by revenue) will expire in 2013 while the rest would expire in 2015. So, income should remain predictably stable till 2013.

The REIT will distribute 100% of its taxable income till 31 Dec 2012. Thereafter, at least 90% of taxable income will be distributed. Income distributions will be made quarterly to unitholders.

The estimated annualised DPU for 2011 is 8.63c and for 2012 is 8.67c. These represent yields of 8.22% and 8.25% respectively based on the IPO price of $1.05 per unit.

I believe that we have a fair offer here in Sabana REIT. Although I would rather invest in AIMS AMP Capital Industrial REIT which offers an annualised DPU of 2.08c for 2011 which would translate to a yield of 9.24% at a unit price of 22.5c, investing in Sabana REIT could provide some safety through diversification.

One thing that worries me is the lack of a track record of Sabana REIT's manager whereas AIMS is an old hand at managing REITs and Mr. George Wang's achievements are impressive. So, would I invest in Sabana REIT? If price weakens further, I might just buy some.

View prospectus here.

Related post:
Sabana REIT: IPO at $1.05/share.

Saizen REIT, First REIT, Golden Agriculture and Genting SP.

Markets in Asia seemed to have taken the lead from the dismal performance of Wall Street and the STI was no exception as it retreated 1.3%.

STI drops 1.3% to 3,252 at closing
Friday, 12 November 2010

© 2010 - The Edge Singapore

So, is this the beginning of the end? I actually find it re-assuring that such a question was making its rounds amongst local investors. It shows that the memory of the last crash is still fresh in the minds of many. Many are actually holding cash and waiting for the next big crash before moving in to cherry pick beaten down stocks.

The market could be perverse and the more we expect something to happen, the more unlikely it becomes. So, people waiting by the sides with chestfuls of cash could be disappointed.

Indeed, there is massive amount of liquidity in the market if the amazing over-subscriptions of GLP and MIT were anything to go by. Money is going where it is treated best. It is not going to be treated best in US Treasuries, for sure. The investments to be in are Asian assets. Asian countries with strong economies and currencies are the ideal investment destinations.

So, unless we have evidence to the contrary, I would say: Do not fear the selldown!  What are we to do then?  Invest in Asian equities (and inflation is here to stay)!

Personally, my portfolio which is primarily investing for income hardly budged in today's selldown. No roller coaster ride for my weak heart. Just dividend collection on a regular basis for me.

With regards to Saizen REIT, a reader sent me an email asking: "Was it your article in your blog that attracts sudden interest in this stock?  The volume is more than ordinary. I wonder." I doubt that my blog has such influence.  Anyway, there were some sessions in the past in which volume was much higher but the interesting thing about today was the number of trades with large buy ups at 16c. There was a total of 14 transactions with a total of 5,419 lots changing hands, of which 12 transactions were at 16c and 5,204 lots were bought up at 16c. 2 transactions were for 1,000 lots each and 1 transaction was for 2,000 lots. Has Saizen REIT caught the attention of some heavy weight investors? Your guess is as good as mine.
See my last blog post on Saizen REIT here.

I have been waiting the whole day for someone to sell me some First REIT units at 95c but to no avail. Some people are puzzled why am I so interested in getting some at 95c when I am already vested at 40+c and 70+c. Well, with the proposed acquisitions and rights issue, buying more even at 96c could be quite rewarding. With an average price of 70c, post rights, if we were able to buy at 95c now, a yield of 9.1% is not impossible with an estimated full year DPU of 6.4c in 2011. As the XR date is 1 Dec which is almost 3 weeks away, I will continue to wait patiently at 95c. Wish me luck.
Read announcement from First REIT here.
Read my last blog post on First REIT here.

Golden Agriculture suffered a downgrade by OCBC and broke its immediate support at 75c, closing at 73c. Just yesterday, I mentioned that "Although Golden Agriculture reported commendable results today with a 41% year on year increase in net profit to US$99 million (S$127 million) for the third quarter ending 30 Sep (3Q2010), the attempt by price to go higher was half hearted as it touched a high of 78.5c before closing at 76c. The very long upper wick on this short bodied white candle hints of strong selling pressure. Volume is relatively low and the negative divergence between price and volume is still all too visible." We could see 70c support tested sooner than later.
Read my last blog post on Golden Agriculture here.

Golden Agri cut to Hold by OCBC; Limited upside
Friday, 12 November 2010

© 2010 - The Edge Singapore

The counter on my watchlist that suffered the greatest decline in percentage terms is Genting SP, declining 15c or 6.6% to close at $2.13 after touching a low of $2.07. The question on the minds of anxious investors is whether it would go lower?

The price gapped down to start the day at $2.10 but formed a white spinning top after testing the 50dMA at $2.07 which was the low of the day. A spinning top suggests indecision which is a good thing for bulls on a day with massive selling pressure. If the price starts at $2.18 or higher in the next session and manages to break resistance at $2.21 which is the 50% Fibo line as well as the 20dMA, we could have a recovery. Having said this, the MACD has been moving lower as price moved higher, presenting an obvious picture of negative divergence. I would treat any rebound as a chance to reduce exposure.

Genting Singapore slumps as earnings ‘disappoint’.

Genting yesterday posted third-quarter net income of $187.8 million, compared with $396.5 million in the previous three months and a net loss of $93.3 million a year earlier.

Friday, 12 November 2010

© 2010 - The Edge Singapore

Mapletree Commercial Trust: IPO in early 2011.

For anyone who did not get any shares in MIT's IPO, here's a chance to own some of Mapletree Commercial Trust's. This is a S$1.3 billion IPO expected to take place early next year.

The commercial REIT will draw its initial portfolio from Mapletree Investments’ $6.4 billion worth of Singapore commercial properties, including assets like Vivocity, the island’s largest mall, and several office buildings west of the city-state’s central business district. 

Besides its plan to list its commercial trust, Mapletree Investments also intends to launch several private property funds including a US$300 million Japan fund focused on IT-related infrastructure, a US$300-500 million Vietnam fund in which Mapletree may inject existing commercial and residential projects, and a US$500 million China-focused fund that will invest in a wide range of sectors.

Read full article here:

Mapletree hires bankers for $1.3b IPO: Update
Friday, 29 October 2010

© 2010 - The Edge Singapore

What's my take on MIT and GLP?

A reader sent an email asking me what is my take on the IPOs of Mapletree Industrial Trust (MIT) and Global Logistic Properties (GLP).  My reply was:

"I don't have enough data on hand to make an informed commentary on these.  That's why I have kept quiet about these although I have friends who would like me to blog about them.

"However, IPOs are not usually available at a bargain, especially in these bullish times. So, generally, I would avoid IPOs.

"With MIT, the expected yield of 7.6% seems ok. I do not know what is the NAV per share. I know it is using some of the proceeds to pay down debts to bring its gearing level to 30% to 35%.  Exact figures, I do not have.

"With GLP, it is being offered at a 10% premium to NAV. It does not even have any income distribution guidance. So, we don't know what is the yield.  What would be its proforma gearing level?  Too many unknowns. I would avoid."

Mapletree Industrial IPO priced at top of range. Mapletree Industrial will sell units at $0.93 each, which translates to an annualised dividend yield of about 7.6%.
Monday, 11 October 2010

© 2010 - The Edge Singapore

Singapore’s GLP confirms IPO price of $1.96 a share
Monday, 11 October 2010

© 2010 - The Edge Singapore