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• Sunlight Real Estate Investment Trust ("Sunlight REIT") Annual Results for the Year Ended 30 June 2020

Rabu, 09 September 2020 23:28:00

Sunlight Real Estate Investment Trust ("Sunlight REIT") Annual Results for the Year Ended 30 June 2020

Extending Care
HONG KONG, - 8 September 2020 - Henderson Sunlight Asset Management Limited (the "Manager") is pleased to report the final results of Sunlight REIT for the year ended 30 June 2020 (the "Year").

Despite unprecedented challenges during the Year, Sunlight REIT managed to deliver reasonably respectable results, registering a 0.3% year-on-year ("YoY") rise in net property income ("NPI") to HK$684.7 million. Annual distributable income was HK$467.0 million, virtually unchanged from last year.
 
The Board has resolved to declare a final distribution of HK 13.6 cents per unit. Coupled with an interim distribution of HK 13.2 cents per unit, the total distribution per unit for the Year would amount to HK 26.8 cents, down 1.8% YoY. The implied payout ratio is 95.2%, compared with 96.4% in the preceding year.  
 
At 30 June 2020, the value of Sunlight REIT's property portfolio was appraised at HK$18,918.0 million, 5.4% lower than a year ago; accordingly, its net asset value declined by 7.6% to HK$14,771.2 million, or HK$8.89 per unit.
 
Operating Highlights
At 30 June 2020, average occupancy rate of the entire portfolio of Sunlight REIT increased to 95.7% (30 June 2019: 95.3%). Contrary to the office portfolio which registered an improvement in occupancy rate to 95.6% (30 June 2019: 94.0%), occupancy rate of the retail properties dropped to 95.8% (30 June 2019: 98.1%), reflecting the emerging negative impact of an economic recession and weakening consumer confidence. Average passing rent of the office portfolio was HK$36.5 per sq. ft., up 2.8% YoY, while that of the retail portfolio was HK$74.8 per sq. ft., down 1.3% as compared to a year ago. Average rental reversion of the portfolio for the Year was 6.0%.
 
Of the top three properties of Sunlight REIT, performance of the two shopping malls, namely Sheung Shui Centre Shopping Arcade ("SSC") and Metro City Phase I Property ("MCPI") were inevitably affected by weak local consumer sentiment and a virtually standstill of inbound tourism. NPI of SSC declined by 6.2%, while the corresponding figure of MCPI remained stable. Gratifyingly, NPI of Sunlight Tower registered a YoY growth of 4.5%.
  
Mr. Wu Shiu Kee, Keith, Chief Executive Officer of the Manager said, "The near-term prospects for Sunlight REIT are expected to be challenging. However, with a defensive portfolio, firm financial footing supported by clear strategic priorities, we believe that Sunlight REIT is well positioned to capitalize on new opportunities and expand its footprint for the long-term benefits of unitholders." (*).