With the outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (CoV) in Wuhan, there are two REITs that I have found that the share price was impacted by the virus outbreak. They are CapitaLand Retail China Trust and Sasseur REIT.
CapitaLand Retail China Trust has 13 malls in China. CapitaMall Minzhongleyuan in Wuhan is closed and will reopen when local conditions permit. The mall represented less than 3% of CRCT’s portfolio value as at 30 September 2019 and contributed approximately 0.5% of CRCT’s net property income for the first nine months of 2019. The remaining 12 malls located in various cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu are operating shorter hours, in line with local government guidelines.
The share price of CapitaRetail China Trust has fell to as low as S$1.53 on 28 Jan 2020.
Sasseur REIT, which has 4 malls in China has implemented temporary closure of the malls in Chongqing, Bishan, Hefei and Kunming. Chongqing and Bishan Outlet Malls have been temporarily closed from 26 January 2020 while Hefei and Kunming Outlet Malls have been temporarily closed from 27 January 2020. The Manager has mentioned that due to the unique business model of Sasseur REIT, the Manager is of the view that the financial impact, if any, to Sasseur REIT should not be material if the crisis is resolved in the short term.
The share price of Sasseur REIT has fell to as low as S$0.79 on 28 Jan 2020.
My take is that the share price has not plunged too much yet. If you have noticed, both the share price has not broken their 52 week low.
Crisis or Opportunity?
Investors should do your own diligence before catching the falling knife.