CDL geared for more acquisitions

Its debt headroom is estimated to be less than $3b.

City Developments (CDL)' lowly-geared balance sheet presents it with the ability to capitalise on acquisition opportunities, said RHB.

According to the research house, CDL’s net gearing would improve to 19% (2015: 26%) post divestments, giving a healthy debt headroom of >SGD3bn (assuming comfortable gearing of 50%).

As such, it expects expects sizeable acquisitions in the near-term, capitalising on market weakness.

CDL successfully monetised its Nouvel 18 development in October, selling its 100% stake to high net worth Singaporean investors for SGD978m (SGD2,750psf), booking net gain of SGD27m.

RHB comments that the move was positive as it not only de-risked CDL’s balance sheet from carrying sluggish high-end inventory, but also helped avoid ~SGD229m in qualifying certificate (QC) charges.

The research house believes that moving forward, CDL can do similar profit participation securities (PPS) structures for its remaining high-end units, and in the longer term potentially monetise South Beach project, which has a GDV north of SGD3bn.