Ascott REIT's unitholders' distribution reaches record high of S$114.8m

Thanks to strategic acquisitions of quality assets.

Ascott Residence Trust’s (Ascott Reit) Unitholders’ distribution rose 15% year-on-year to a record high of S$114.8 million for FY 2013. Distribution per unit (DPU) for FY 2013 is 8.40 cents, which represents a 6.9% yield based on the closing price of S$1.21 on 31 December 2013. Excluding the effects from the rights issue in December 2013, DPU for FY 2013 would be a historical high of 9.03 cents.

Revenue increased by 4% to S$316.6 million in FY 2013 compared to FY 2012 mainly due to contributions from new properties acquired in 2012 and 2013. The new properties are located in China, Germany, Japan and Singapore.

In line with the increase in revenue, gross profit increased 1% to S$161.2 million in FY 2013.

Mr Lim Jit Poh, Ascott Residence Trust Management Limited’s (ARTML) Chairman, said: “Ascott Reit has delivered strong returns to Unitholders in 2013. In all four quarters, we achieved double-digit growth in Unitholders’ distribution mainly due to our strategic acquisitions of quality assets. Our rights issue was 1.6 times oversubscribed in December 2013 and we also commenced the strata sale of 81 units in Somerset Grand Fortune Garden Beijing. When fully sold, the proceeds will enable us to fund future acquisitions and further enhance Unitholders’ returns. We will actively seek acquisitions in gateway cities in China, Japan, Malaysia, Australia and Europe."

Mr Lim added: “The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects the global economy to grow in 2014. In line with IMF’s outlook, we expect the performance of Ascott Reit’s properties to remain stable. Ascott Reit’s extended stay business model and geographical diversification will continue to provide income stability."

Mr Ronald Tay, ARTML’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Ascott Reit achieved solid growth in revenue for a number of markets. Revenue in Germany and China surged 133% and 67% respectively for FY 2013, mainly due to the acquisition of properties with good locations in Hamburg, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang and Suzhou. Revenue for Japan increased by 186% mainly because of 11 rental housing properties we acquired in 2013."

Mr Tay added: “Ascott Reit will further capture organic growth through asset enhancement programmes. Average daily rates for the renovated apartments at Ascott Jakarta grew 20%. At Ascott Raffles Place Singapore, we are converting 35 studios into one-bedroom apartments to maximise the use of space due to the demand from long stay guests. We have rebranded Somerset St Georges Terrace Perth into a Citadines property and are on track to complete the refurbishment of Citadines Ramblas Barcelona and Citadines Toison d’Or Brussels. In 1H 2014, we will begin the refurbishment of Somerset Olympic Tower Tianjin and the second phase of renovation for Somerset Xu Hui Shanghai.”