Industrial REITs

OCBC on 27 Sept 2012

Industrial landlords continue to be very engaged in their capital management activities. For 3Q to-date, we note that a number of industrial REITs have launched several debt facilities, where the proceeds will be used to refinance part of their existing borrowings. This is in line with our view that the industrial REIT subsector’s debt maturity profile will remain healthy, with limited refinancing risks in the near term. We also observe that there was a pickup in investment activity during the period. We estimate that the total subsector acquisition value for 3Q will be at S$182.9m. This significantly exceeds the S$66.0m acquisition size clocked in 2Q, albeit still lower than the S$678.2m value registered in 1Q. We are currently maintaining our view that the subsector acquisition activity is likely to be skewed more towards smaller REITs. Reiterate OVERWEIGHT view on the industrial REIT subsector. Cache Logistics Trust remains our preferred pick, given its robust portfolio, healthy financial position and attractive forward DPU yield of 7.1%.

Active capital management
Industrial landlords continue to be very engaged in their capital management activities. For 3Q to-date, we note that two industrial REITs, namely AIMS AMP Capital Industrial REIT and Mapletree Industrial REIT, had announced the issuance of fixed-rate notes, while Sabana REIT had entered into a financing agreement for S$258.6m additional Commodity Murabaha facilities. Based on our understanding, the proceeds from these issuances will be used to refinance part of their existing borrowings. This is in line with our view that the industrial REIT subsector’s debt maturity profile will remain healthy, with limited refinancing risks in the near term.

Pickup in acquisition activity
We also observe that there was a pickup in investment activity during the period. The most active REIT was Cambridge Industrial Trust, which announced the proposed acquisitions of Teban Gardens Crescent, 30 Marsiling Industrial Estate Road 8, and 11 Woodlands Walk for an aggregate consideration of S$97.3m. With just days to the close of 3Q, we estimate that the total subsector acquisition value for 3Q will be at S$182.9m. This significantly exceeds the S$66.0m acquisition size clocked in 2Q, albeit still lower than the S$678.2m value registered in 1Q. We are currently maintaining our view that the subsector acquisition activity is likely to be skewed more towards smaller REITs. We also believe that further acquisitions in the industrial space may possibly involve a combination of debt and equity, given that the subsector aggregate leverage is set to increase after funding committed acquisitions. In addition, some REITs (e.g. Ascendas REIT and Mapletree Logistics Trust) have also turned to capital recycling via divestments to enhance their portfolio returns, in line with our expectations.

Maintain OVERWEIGHT
We are retaining our OVERWEIGHT view on the industrial REIT subsector due to its high yields (7.0-7.1% for FY12-13F) and growth potential. Cache Logistics Trust remains our preferred pick, given its robust portfolio, healthy financial position and attractive forward DPU yield of 7.1%.