Author: tfwee

 

FSL – BT

FSLT cuts Q3 distribution by 47.8%

FIRST Ship Lease Trust (FSLT) continued to adopt a prudent approach amid the global shipping downturn, slashing its third-quarter distribution to unitholders by 47.8 per cent year-on-year to US$7.96 million. This resulted in a distribution per unit of 1.5 US cents, in line with its guidance. In Q3 2008, DPU was 3.05 US cents.

Based on the equity placement announced on Sept 4, 80 million new units were issued on Sept 17 and a stub distribution of 1.27 US cents was declared for the period July 1 to Sept 16 for the then existing unitholders. The enlarged unitholder base post-equity placement will receive the remaining DPU of 0.23 US cent for the period Sept 17 to Sept 30.

Net cash from operations for the third quarter rose 11.5 per cent year-on-year to US$17.6 million. The lower distribution amount resulted in surplus cash of US$9.6 million, of which US$8 million has been applied towards voluntary loan prepayments on Sept 18 (US$800,000) and Oct 1 (US$7.2 million) respectively, FSLT said.

‘FSLT’s business is robust and has continued to deliver stable and predictable cash flows as the global shipping industry navigates through this challenging period,’ said Philip Clausius, CEO of the trustee-manager FSL Trust Management.

FSLT’s lease revenue rose 4 per cent to US$24.6 million, compared to Q3 2008, primarily driven by contributions from YM Enhancer, the third and final containership acquired in October last year, in the acquisition and leaseback transaction with Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation.

FSLT reiterated that there has been no attempt by any lessee to re-negotiate lease terms and all lease rentals have been received promptly, including the rentals for October.

Management has provided a DPU guidance of 1.50 US cents for Q4, representing an annualised yield of about 14 per cent based on the closing price of 60.5 Singapore cents on Oct 22.

CRCT – BT

CRCT distributable income rises in Q3

DPU of 2.02 cents as net property income rises 0.7%

CAPITARETAIL China Trust’s (CRCT) third-quarter distributable income inched up to $12.6 million from Q3 2008’s $12.4 million. The China retail trust of CapitaLand announced a distribution per unit of 2.02 cents, up from 2.01 cents.

CRCT, which owns eight retail mall properties located in five key cities in China, saw net property income rise 0.7 per cent to $18.3 million for the three months ended Sept 30, 2009, from $18.1 million for the year-ago period. As at Sept 30, the total asset size of CRCT was about $1.23 billion.

Gross revenue for Q3 2009 was $29.8 million, an increase of 5.4 per cent over Q3 2008. This was mainly due to the appreciation of the Chinese yuan against the Singapore dollar as well as the increase in occupancy rates in Xizhimen Mall and Xinwu Mall. This was partly offset by lower revenue in Wangjing Mall due to asset enhancement works; and Saihan Mall, which is currently still undergoing asset enhancement works.

During the quarter, CRCT implemented measures to re-position the malls for next year. In addition to proactive cost management, the tenant mix was changed to better meet shoppers’ demands. At one mall, Xinwu Mall, rental revenue improved after the introduction of more flexible lease structures through shortened leases and ‘right-sizing’ of retail space.

‘Our business model has proven to be resilient and we are confident that our strategies of fine-tuning the tenant mix, re-positioning of malls and asset enhancement initiatives have made us operationally stronger,’ said Wee Hui Kan, chief executive of CRCT’s manager. ‘This will position us in good stead for 2010 and we remain committed to ensuring a stable and sustainable distribution to unitholders.’

CapitaLand on Oct 5 said that it will spin off its $20.3 billion retail portfolio into a separate unit, and list it on the Singapore Exchange. CRCT will be held under the new unit (CapitaMalls Asia) in future, and will continue to enjoy the existing rights of first refusal it has from the group.

CRCT shares close unchanged at $1.19 yesterday.

CRCT – CNA

CapitaRetail China Trust says Q3 distributable income, DPU up slightly

CapitaRetail China Trust (CRCT) said on Friday that its third quarter distribution per unit (DPU) is 2.02 cents. This is 0.5 per cent higher than the 2.01 cents DPU announced over the same period last year and 4.5 per cent more than the previous quarter’s DPU.

Distributable income for the period ended in September is S$12.6 million, 1 per cent more than last year’s S$12.4 million. Net property income was also marginally higher at S$18.2 million, an on-year increase of 0.7 per cent.

CRTC said appreciation of the Chinese yuan against the Singapore dollar and an increase in occupancy rates boosted its earnings. It added that retail sales in China remained strong, underpinned by the Chinese government’s measures to increase domestic consumption.

CRCT remains confident of its ability to refinance its debts when they mature, with interest rates expected to be in line with general market conditions.

FSL – CNA

FSL Trust’s DPU down 51% to 1.5 US cents

Mainboard-listed First Ship Lease Trust (FSL Trust) announced on Friday, a 1.5 US cent distribution per unit (DPU) for the third quarter ended in September.

The figure is 51 per cent lower than the 3.05 US cent DPU for the same period last year.

The amount to be distributed is US$7.96 million – an on-year drop of 48 per cent.

Going forward, FSL Trust said that its business is robust and its portfolio of lease contracts will continue to deliver predictable and stable cash flows.

FCOT – CNA

Frasers Commercial’s DPU & distributable income fall on-year

Frasers Commercial Trust (FCOT) announced on Friday a third quarter distribution per unit of 0.2 cent.

That is 26 per cent lower than the 0.27 cent DPU for the same period last year, after making adjustments for a rights issue.

Distributable income for the period ended in September fell by 24 per cent on-year to S$6.14 million, though it was up by 10.4 per cent when compared to the previous quarter.

Net property income suffered a less drastic drop, declining 0.6 per cent on-year to S$19.9 million. Compared to the previous quarter, FCOT said its net property income increased by over 13 per cent.

The improvement was driven by the initial five weeks of ownership of Alexandra Technopark, a stronger Australian dollar and better occupancy levels.

FCOT said the last stage of its recapitalisation and refinancing will be completed in the next quarter.

Earlier this year, it announced a rights issue to raise S$214 million.