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Jun 04, 2019:
Spear REIT Limited, a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) listed on the JSE, reported its annual financial results this week, posting double-digit earnings growth amidst a dampened economic environment for the South African listed real estate sector.
Spear’s management team implemented solutions to the challenges faced in the region in which it operates, through a tenant centric approach, a diverse mix of assets and hands-on asset management focus, which proved imperative in yielding the impressive results.
Commenting on the full year results, Spear REIT Ltd CEO Quintin Rossi says: “This set of results is reflective of Spear REIT’s uncompromised high quality and reinforces management’s strategy of being regional focused and close to its assets, to ensure the organisation is able to deliver speedy solutions to changes in the market and to construct bespoke solutions for our tenants whether they are contracting or expanding in their space requirements. The latest set of results were achieved despite a downturn in the hospitality sector during the period. The Spear portfolio at year end consists of 30 properties with a gross lettable area (GLA) of 402 652 units (up by 24.18% compared to FY2018)”.
The average property value has increased to R127 million compared to the previous reporting period of R94 million. Management has endeavoured to actively grow Spears market capitalisation and asset value over the year with a market capitalisation year on year increase of 25.07% to R 1,98bn and asset value with a year on year increase of 21.62% to R 3,81bn. During the year there was a 14.35% increase in issued shares closing off the financial year with 188 888 709 (FY2018:165 190 689) shares in issue.
“The core portfolio of Spear remains defensive in nature underpinned by strong lease covenants and high-quality tenants. Management is confident given the diversified mix of assets, tenant profiles and its own hands-on asset management approach, that Spear will deliver on its guidance for the 2020 financial year. Spear remains focused on its Western Cape only strategy, allowing for it to be first to take advantage of portfolio & earnings enhancing opportunities.”
Spear began the financial period with an opening vacancy of 6 334m2 and with 91 359m2 expiring during the year. Management has successfully renewed and re-lt 96 560m2 at a positive reversion of 8,03%
Performance by sector:
Industrial- Performance remains healthy & strong with continuous demand for Spears rental opportunities by prospective tenants across the industrial portfolio. The industrial portfolio (207 354m2) occupancy was at 99% at year end. Commercial- The commercial portfolio (109 667m2) occupancy was at 98% at year end, with management sighting some trends that may have a negative impact in this sector in the coming year. Retail- During the reporting period 48% (16,772m2) of retail GLA (34 648m2) was occupied by national retail tenants. The retail portfolio (34 648m2) occupancy was at 96% at year end. Residential- Spears residential portfolio for the reporting period continued to perform to the satisfaction of management with 100% occupancy rates. Currently only 2% of GLA is exposed to the residential sector however management has stated its intention to increase Spear’s residential holdings closer to 15% of GLA & 12% of portfolio value in the medium term Hospitality- The hospitality sector over the reporting period has continued to operate under extremely tough trading conditions. Although occupancies have shown better recovery signs, the biggest challenge will remain in recovering lost rate strength experienced during the downturn. The hospitality portfolio (28 153m2) occupancy was at 95% at year end.
Rossi concludes, “Management remains confident that demand for its high-quality rental properties across the various sectors within the Western Cape will continue given its tenant centric approach and hands-on asset management skills.”
