CapitaLand Ascendas REIT sells a local industrial facility for a 219% increase above the price paid in 2005
The managing director of CapitaLand Ascendas REIT (CLAR) has announced the sale of Singapore industrial building KA Place for a consideration of $35.38 million.
According to a report filed on 20 April the REIT’s trustee HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Singapore) has signed an agreement to purchase and sell in order to transfer KA Place to KA Place SPV 1.
Novo Place launch date once complete, the development is expected to house 375 elegant and spacious family-friendly units with a maximum height of 60 meters to 70 Metres in the Singapore height datum.
The amount of consideration is the equivalent of a 219% increase over CLAR’s purchase value that was $11.1 million at the time of its purchase in. It also is an additional 55% more than the market value of $22.8 million as of December 31 2022.
KA The Place located at 159 Kampong Ampat is an seven-storey, high-spec industrial structure with a parking space on the second floor. The property is a total net floor space of 10163 sqm and a lease period of around 35 years.
The proposed divestment is accordance with CLAR’s strategic asset management plan to improve the performance of the portfolio of CLAR and maximize the returns of unit holders of CLAR according to the manager. “After thorough analysis the manager has concluded that it’s a good moment to sell the property and redirect the capital for value-adding opportunities.”
Assuming that the divestment proposal was completed on January 1, 2022, then the pro-forma effect on CLAR’s net property earnings (NPI) as well as distribution per unit (DPU) for the fiscal year that ended on Dec 31, 2022 could have been a diminution in the amount of $0.92 million, and 0.005 Singapore cents, respectively.
Net proceeds after divestment expenses are anticipated to be $30.65 million. CLAR’s management says the net proceeds could be used to fund commitment investment, repay debt and provide loans for subsidiaries finance general requirements for working and corporate capital or distribute the proceeds to unitholders.
Should the proceeds are utilized to repay the loan of CLAR at the time of December 31 2022, CLAR’s total leverage would be reduced to 36.3% to approximately 36.2%.
The proposed divestment is anticipated to be completed by 2Q2023.
After completion, CLAR will own 229 properties comprised of the following: 96 properties in Singapore as well as the 36 properties in Australia as well as 47 properties within the United States and 49 properties in Europe, the United Kingdom and Europe.
According to the trust deed, dated October 9, 2002, which is the basis for CLAR The manager has the right to receive an amount equal to 0.5% of the sale value of the property and will be payable in cash.
Units of CapitaLand Ascendas REIT closed 3 cents higher which is 1.05% up, at $2.88 on the 20th of April.