CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust has released its 1Q2021 business update on 26th April 2021. The trust is formed after the merger between CapitaMall and CapitaLand Commercial Trust was approved on 29th September 2020.
Gross revenue increased by 63.9% Y-o-Y to S$334.8 million. Net Property Income (NPI) also increased by 66.6% Y-o-Y to S$247.1 million.
If we look at the gross revenue breakdown, the retail segment performed poorly as compared to the previous quarter.
Below is the Gross Revenue and Net Property Income contribution from the office segment.
The combined performance shows that the office segment pulled up the overall financial results.
Occupancy
Overall portfolio occupancy stood at 95.9%. Portfolio Weighted Average Lease Expiry by Gross Rental Income stood at 3.1 years.
The retail portfolio occupancy stood at 97.1%.
As you can see from the chart above, the closure of Robinsons have some form of impact on Raffles City Singapore. Occupancy fell from 98.5% in 2020 to a low of 90.9% as of 31st March 2021. When I last visited the mall, the vacated space by Robinsons have yet to be taken up.
Clarke Quay’s occupancy was affected by government-stipulated restrictions on trading hours and sales of alcohol at nightlife venues like clubs, karaoke joints and bars without food licenses. I guess this was worsen by the measure the government put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic lock down.
The overall office portfolio occupancy stood at 94.9%. With the exception of Six Battery Road, the rest of the offices occupancy rate looks healthy to me.
Six Battery Road’s occupancy expected to remain as such until partial upgrading is completed in phases.
Debt
As of 31st March 2021, the gearing ratio stood at 40.8%. This was a slight increase as compared to the gearing ratio of 40.6% as of 31st December 2020.
After the merger, 95.8% CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust’s assets are unencumbered. Gone are the days whereby 100% of CapitaMall Trust’s assets are unencumbered.
Average term to maturity stood at 4.4 years.
Current Dividend Yield
Based on the current share price of 2.20 cents and 2020 distribution payout of 6.95 cents, this translate to a current dividend yield of 3.159%.
Not advisable for dividend investors to buy at this price due to the non-attractive yield unless you believe the trust will increase its DPU payout moving forward.
Summary
Based on the business updates, we can see that the retail segment has yet to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the progressive rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination and the relaxation of government rules, we can see shoppers returning to the malls.
Following Phase 3 reopening on 28 Dec 2020, shopper traffic recovery gained momentum
while tenants’ sales rebounded in 1Q 2021. This is good news for retail REITs.
The only hesitation to buy into CICT is the dividend yield which is non attractive at the current share price.