CapitaLand Ascott Trust (CLAS)

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#41
Just noticed that in the latest quarterly update, Capitaland Ascot has indicated that their all in interest rate is now 3%. In the 2H 2023 annual report it was 2.4%, so, that is an increase of around 0.6% (25% higher interest rates for the year).

Assuming that the impact is over whole of FY 2024, that means, the annual interest expense (finance cost in annual report) will go from 86.8 Million SGD to SGD 108.5 million, an increase by SGD 21.7 million.

In the quarterly update, gross profit growth on a like for like basis excluding divestments is 7% "On a same-store basis, excluding acquisitions and divestments, between 1Q 2023 and 1Q 2024, gross profit was 7% higher y-o-y due to stronger operating performance". 7% growth is 23.6 Million Gross profit growth.

Assuming that all else remains equal, in essence, the DPU growth will be 1.9 million SGD divided by the 4 billion units, which is essentially flat.

I guess that is still decent performance, especially in a high interest rate scenario and DPU growth is too much to hope for in the current scenario.
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#42
Hi Shrivathsa

A few additional thoughts to the things that will not remain constant:

(1) As of end March2024, CLAS has 102 properties, a reduction of 4 from end 2023. Interest expenses from the mortgages attached to the 4 sold properties will not be incurred in FY24. Also, cash proceeds from the divestments may be used to pay down "higher interest" loans. So while effective interest rate will be higher but overall borrowings should be reduced.

(2) Towards the end of last year, some of the Paris hotels were converted from master leases to management contracts. With Paris Olympics coming in 2024, this will allow CLAS to enjoy the upside. Granted this is only a few hotels and probably add +/-1mil to the overall gross income.
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#43
In the EGM, OPMIs had questioned about the viability of acquiring a hotel with 54years remaining lease, on a master lease (unable to enjoy upside) and not been a distressed asset. IMHO, the biggest reason for acquiring lyf is probably the economies of scale from the master lessee (Ascott) and the ability to avoid paying the 10-15% OTA fees with Ascott Star Rewards (ASR).

On another note, I wonder why CLAS did not hold the EGM at their own hotels?

MINUTES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING HELD AT HELICONIA BALLROOM, LEVEL 3, SANDS EXPO AND CONVENTION CENTRE, 10 BAYFRONT AVENUE, SINGAPORE 018956 ON MONDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2024 AT 2.00 P.M. (SINGAPORE TIME)

Goh Soon Keat Kevin (“Mr Goh”), non-executive non-independent director of the Managers, added that when evaluating business prospects of hotels, footfall is not a key factor unlike for retail properties. Mr Goh stated that majority of the sales of the hotel comes from the loyalty programme, being the Ascott Star Rewards Programme and from corporate sales. Mr Goh stated that the property has a good track record and is one of the best performing properties, compared to the other properties in the CLAS portfolio.

https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/20241213_...eID=827895
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#44
Ascott hotels are business hotels (think hotel sunroute, APA hotel type in Japan), service residence and budget tourist types. They do not have the ballroom space within their hotel properties to hold meetings/conventions
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