TIDMARTL
RNS Number : 3409O
Alpha Real Trust Limited
18 August 2017
18 August 2017
ALPHA REAL TRUST LIMITED ("ART" OR THE "COMPANY")
TRADING UPDATE and dividend announcement
ART today publishes its trading update for the period ended 30
June 2017 and the period up until the date of this announcement.
The information contained herein has not been audited.
About the Company
Alpha Real Trust Limited ("the Company" or "ART") targets
investment, development, financing and other opportunities in real
estate, real estate operating companies and securities, real estate
services, infrastructure, infrastructure services, other
asset-backed businesses and related operations and services
businesses that offer attractive risk-adjusted total returns.
ART currently focuses on high-yielding property, infrastructure
and asset backed debt and equity investments in Western Europe that
are capable of delivering strong risk adjusted cash flows,
including build to own investments. The current portfolio mix,
excluding sundry assets/liabilities, is as follows:
High yielding debt: 5.5%
High yielding equity
in property investments: 51.3%
Ground rent investments: 23.6%
Other investments: 6.6%
Build-to-rent investments: 11.0%
Cash: 2.0%
The Company's Investment Manager is Alpha Real Capital LLP
("ARC").
Highlights
-- NAV per share 162.4p 30 June 2017 (158.9p: 31 March 2017)
-- Adjusted earnings per share of 1.4p for the three month
period ended 30 June 2017 (7.4p for the year ended 31 March
2017)
-- Declaration of a quarterly dividend of 0.6p per share,
expected to be paid on 22 September 2017
-- Basic earnings per share of 1.9p for the three month period
ended 30 June 2017 (18.6p for the year ended 31 March 2017)
-- Balanced portfolio: continued capital allocation to a mix of
investments which balance income returns while creating potential
for capital value growth, including a growing focus on
build-to-rent
-- Mezzanine loan investment: further two mezzanine loan
investments completed under an agreement entered into with a
specialist finance provider, to co-invest and create a portfolio of
mezzanine loan investments.
-- H2O Madrid: post period end, completion of joint venture with
CBRE European Co-Investment Fund, who acquired a 70% of the
shareholding in the asset, generating proceeds of c. GBP37.0
million. The sale creates an opportunity for the recycling of
capital and the rebalancing of ART's investment portfolio while
allowing for participation in the continued income yield and future
value growth potential from the asset
-- 95.2% of the Group's portfolio is allocated to investments in
the UK and Europe that are or are expected to be income
producing
Investment summary
The Company's investments have benefited from an active
management approach with successes evident in both the Company's
direct and indirectly held investments. The current portfolio mix,
as at 30 June 2017 is outlined on the table below.
Portfolio overview as at 30 June 2017
Investment name
Investment Investment Income Investment Property type Investment % of
type value return location / underlying notes portfolio(1)
p.a. security
---------------- -------------- ------- ---------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------
High yielding debt (5.5%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Active UK Real Estate Fund plc ("AURE")
High-yield
Mezzanine GBP3.4m 9.0% diversified Preferred
loan (2) (3) UK portfolio capital structure 3.0%
---------------- -------------- ------- ---------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------
Staybridge Suites, Newcastle
Mezzanine GBP1.7m 15.0% Central Newcastle Secured mezzanine
loan (2) (3) UK hotel facility 1.5%
---------------- -------------- ------- ---------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------
Mezzanine Finance
Development
loans as seed
Mezzanine GBP1.1m 14.0% investment Secured mezzanine
loans (2) (3) UK in new portfolio facilities 1.0%
---------------- -------------- ------- ---------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------
High yielding equity in property investments
(51.3%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
H2O shopping centre
Post period
end; agreement
High-yield, to divest
dominant 70% shareholding
Direct GBP51.1m 7.4% Madrid shopping and refinance
property (EUR58.2m) (4) Spain centre of bank debt 45.1%
Site - Vacant site;
building building Potential
rights rights capable expansion
Direct GBP1.2m of transfer capacity for
property (EUR1.4m) n/a Spain to H2O H2O 1.1%
---------------- -------------- ------- ---------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------
Active UK Real Estate Fund plc
High-yield 20.5% of ordinary
commercial shares in
Equity GBP4.2m n/a UK portfolio fund 3.7%
---------------- ------------- -------- ---------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------
Cambourne Business Park
Bank facility
at 60.0% LTV
for 2 years
then 55% till
High-yield maturity (current
business interest cover
Indirect 11.8% park located of 2.0 times
property GBP1.6m (4) UK in Cambridge covenant level) 1.4%
---------------- -------------- ------- ---------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------
Ground rent investments (23.6%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Freehold Income Authorised Fund
Highly defensive
Ground 3.6% income; freehold No gearing;
rent fund GBP26.7m (5) UK ground rents monthly liquidity 23.6%
---------------- -------------- ------- ---------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------
Build-to-rent investments (11.0%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Unity and Armouries, Birmingham
Planning consent
for 90,000
Central Birmingham square feet
residential / 162 units
PRS development GBP3.8m n/a UK build-to-rent plus commercial 3.4%
---------------- -------------- ------- ---------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------
Monk Bridge, Leeds
Planning consent
for 140,000
square feet
Central Leeds / 269 units
residential plus commercial
PRS development GBP6.1m n/a UK build-to-rent opportunities 5.4%
---------------- -------------- ------- ---------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------
Data centre,
Frankfurt
Industrial
site with Agreement to
potential purchase, subject
Direct GBP2.5m for data to planning
property (EUR2.8m) n/a Germany centre use permission 2.2%
---------------- -------------- ------- ---------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------
Other investments (6.6%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Galaxia
Legal process
underway
to recover
Development investment
GBP5.4m site located by enforcing
Indirect (INR in NOIDA, arbitration
property 450m) n/a India Delhi, NCR award 4.8%
---------------- -------------- ------- ---------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------
Europip plc
An ungeared
logistics
and office
investment
- awaiting 47% of ordinary
Indirect GBP0.7m final shareholder shares in
property (EUR0.8m) n/a Norway distribution fund 0.6%
---------------- -------------- ------- ---------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------
Healthcare & Leisure Property Limited
Indirect Leisure property No external
property GBP1.4m n/a UK fund gearing 1.2%
---------------- -------------- ------- ---------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------
Cash (2.0%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Current or
Cash (Company 'on call'
only) GBP2.3m 0.1% UK accounts 2.0%
----------------- ------------- ------- ---------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------
(1) Percentage share shown based on NAV excluding the rent
company's sundry assets/liabilities
(2) Including accrued coupon at the balance sheet date
(3) Annual coupon
(4) Yield on equity over 12 months to 30 June 2017 (note: H2O
yield on cost 18.2%, Cambourne yield on cost 14.3%)
(5) 12 months income return; post tax
ART continues to actively manage its portfolio to enhance the
value of the underlying assets, recycle capital from investments
where profit taking and portfolio optimisation opportunities are
identified, and to originate and secure new investment
opportunities.
ART currently focuses on high-yielding property, infrastructure
and asset backed debt and equity investments in Western Europe that
are capable of delivering strong risk adjusted cash flows,
including an increasing focus on build to own investments. The
Company will consider investments and assets that offer scope to
generate long term income streams off a lower entry cost through
development. This approach provides ART with the flexibility to
take advantage of new investment opportunities where ART sees best
value. A balance of income and capital value growth will be
targeted.
Further to the full year results announcement on 16 June 2017,
the following are key investment updates.
High yielding equity in property investments
ART continues to remain focused on investments that offer the
potential to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns by way of
value enhancement through active asset management, improvement of
net rental income, selective deployment of capital expenditure and
the ability to undertake strategic sales when the achievable price
is accretive to returns.
H2O shopping centre, Madrid
The H2O shopping centre investment in Madrid attracted record
visitor numbers in the year to 30 June 2017, with an increase of
7.4% above the same period in 2016.
As previously announced, an agreement to sell a 70% equity
interest in the H2O shopping centre in Madrid to CBRE European
Co-Investment Fund, managed by CBRE Global Investors was entered
into. The sale contract had conditions attached which were
satisfied post period end and consideration of circa GBP37.0
million was received on the date of completion of 4 August
2017.
ART has retained a 30% stake in joint venture with CBRE Global
Investors to participate in the future growth of the centre.
In May 2017, ART completed the refinance of the borrowings
secured on the shopping centre with a new EUR65 million seven year
loan. The new financing terms represent a significant saving on the
previous financing. The borrowings are non-recourse to ART.
Industrial Multi Property Trust plc ("IMPT")
During the period, ART received the proceeds from the repayment
of its subordinated debt facility to IMPT and also sold its equity
shareholding in IMPT at a premium to net asset value.
High yielding debt
Underlying asset values have benefited from an improvement in
the wider investment market, resulting in enhanced credit quality
as loan to value ratios have either improved or are more firmly
supported as a result of greater liquidity and debt
availability.
The Company continues to remain focussed on creating a
diversified portfolio of high yielding smaller mezzanine loans
secured on real estate assets. ART seeks opportunities that it can
fully underwrite with the support of the Investment Manager's
asset-backed lending experience and knowledge of the underlying
assets and sectors, or in partnership with specialist mezzanine
providers. Repayment proceeds from current loans are expected be
recycled into new loan business.
Mezzanine portfolio
In line with the objective of creating a diversified portfolio
of smaller mezzanine loans, ART has furthered its mezzanine lending
investment during the period, extending two further loans. As at 30
June 2017, ART had invested GBP1.1 million in smaller real estate
mezzanine loans(increased from GBP0.3 million into as at 31 March
2017).
Further loan investments are continually being evaluated. Each
loan will typically have a two year term and a maximum 75.0% loan
to value ratio and are targeted to generate double digit income
returns.
Active UK Real Estate Fund plc ("AURE")
ART provides a GBP3.4 million (including accrued interest)
two-year mezzanine facility to AURE which matures in November 2018
and earns a coupon of 9.0% per annum.
Based upon the value of the underlying AURE portfolio of GBP32.4
million (valuation as at 30 June 2017) and the balance of the bank
finance of GBP14.8 million as at 30 June 2017, ART's loan is
positioned between a 45.7% and 55.9% loan to value.
Staybridge Suites, Newcastle
ART provides a GBP1.7 million mezzanine loan secured on a hotel
located in central Newcastle operated under a franchise agreement
from Intercontinental Hotels Group ("IHG") as a Staybridge Suites,
IHG's extended stay brand. The three year facility matures in
October 2019 and earns an annualised return in excess of 15% plus
arrangement and exit fees.
Ground rent investments
Freehold Income Authorised Fund ("FIAF")
ART invests in a fund which holds a diversified portfolio of UK
residential property freehold ground rents with a view to achieving
steady and predictable returns, a consistent income stream and
prospects for growth. The Company has invested GBP26.7 million as
at 30 June 2017 in FIAF, an open-ended fund that invests in UK
freehold ground rents with a net asset value of GBP295.5 million as
at 30 June 2017.
The following highlights were reported in the FIAF fact sheet as
at 30 June 2017 (published in July 2017):
-- FIAF owns over 65,000 freeholds with a gross annual ground
rent income of circa GBP8.6 million.
-- 85% of its freeholds have a form of inflation protection
through periodic uplifts linked to Retail Price Index, property
values or fixed uplifts.
-- FIAF's assets are defensive in nature, very long dated (with
an average lease length in excess of 100 years)
The total return on ART's investment in FIAF was 7.9%
(annualised post tax) for the 12 months ending 30 June 2017.
Build-to-rent investments
The potential realisation of c. GBP35 million from the sale of a
70% interest in H2O will enable ART to further invest in its
build-to-rent investments, an increasing area of focus for the
Company, with the potential for the majority of the proceeds to be
reinvested into build-to-rent opportunities..
ART's build-to-rent investments offer scope to create resilient
equity income returns at an attractive yield on cost, with
potential for operating leverage to further enhance returns. The
investments also offer scope for capital growth as the sites mature
or planning is enhanced.
Build-to-rent investments provide the Company with flexibility
to add value by either constructing the development, funded with
either equity capital, debt or contractor finance, and subsequently
holding the completed assets as investments; or, alternatively,
forward selling all or some of the developed property.
Residential Private Rented Sector ("PRS")
The Company's investments in the residential Private Rented
Sector ("PRS") in central Leeds and central Birmingham are
opportunities that were secured early in the build-to-rent process
that offer potential to create resilient equity income returns at
an attractive yield on cost.
The PRS investments assist in building a portfolio of critical
mass to afford participation in a maturing market which is
attracting greater institutional participation.
Detailed planning consent for both sites has been secured. The
Birmingham project has made non-material amendments to its planning
consent for 162 residential units and ground floor commercial
space. The Leeds project has been granted detailed planning consent
for 307 residential units (which the Company intends to develop for
PRS) plus commercial development within the adjacent existing
railway arches and outline planning consent for a further 300
residential units.
Preferred construction partners have been selected for each
project. The project design team continues to review the existing
detailed planning consent for possible enhancements to meet best in
class PRS requirements and a value engineering process is underway
to identify the most efficient and effective construction processes
and potential cost savings.
Discussions are underway with potential partners to investigate
joint funding opportunities.
Data centre investment
In November 2016, ART entered into a binding agreement to
purchase an industrial site in Frankfurt subject to certain
conditions which included securing planning consent for a data
centre and a specified minimum electrical power supply with a dual
feed for the proposed development.
Following a detailed design process, both planning permission
and power applications have been filed as per the envisaged
schedule.
Other investments
Galaxia, India
On 2 February 2011, ART recommenced arbitration proceedings
against its development partner Logix Group ("Logix") in order to
protect its Galaxia investment, an 11.2 acre Special Economic Zone,
in NOIDA, the National Capital Region, India.
In January 2015, the ICC Arbitral Tribunal decreed that Logix
and its principals had breached the terms of the shareholders
agreement and has awarded the Company:
-- Return of its entire capital invested of INR 450.0 million
(equivalent to GBP5.4 million using the period end exchange rate as
at 30 June 2017) along with interest at 18% per annum from 31
January 2011 to 20 January 2015.
-- All costs incurred towards the arbitration.
-- A further 15% interest per annum on all sums was awarded to
the Company from 20 January 2015 until the actual date of payment
by Logix of the award.
Logix challenged the validity of the arbitration award in the
Delhi High Court. This appeal was dismissed during February 2017
and the Delhi High Court upheld the arbitration award. Logix
subsequently appealed to a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court.
On 8 May 2017 the Division Bench upheld the award and rejected
Logix's appeal. Logix may seek a review of the dismissal before the
Supreme Court of India.
ART has commenced execution of the award against the Logix
promoters. The Delhi High Court has issued a warrant of attachment
against the primary residential property owned by Shakti Nath and
Meena Nath, promoters of Logix and restraint orders have been
passed against the Logix corporate office in NOIDA and against
transfer of shares in several group companies. The Logix promoters
have been directed to furnish a statement of their assets and bank
statements or else appear in person in court at the next hearing
scheduled in August 2017.
The sum awarded to the Company has now accrued to approximately
GBP13.9 million at the current exchange rate. ART continues to hold
the indirect investment at INR 450.0 million (GBP5.4 million) in
the accounts due to uncertainty over timing and final value.
Share buybacks
On 9 March 2016, the Company published a circular giving notice
of an Extraordinary General Meeting on 1 April 2016. Consistent
with the Company's commitment to shareholder value, the Company
asked its shareholders to approve a general authority allowing the
Company to acquire up to 24.99% of the Voting Share Capital during
the period expiring on the earlier of (i) the conclusion of the
Annual General Meeting of the Company in 2017 and (ii) 4 September
2017. The shareholders approved the proposal.
During the period, the Company made no share buybacks.
Dividend
The Board announces the next dividend of 0.6p per share for the
quarter ended 30 June 2017 which is expected to be paid on 22
September 2017 (ex dividend date 31 August 2017 and record date 1
September 2017).
Net asset value ('NAV')
As at 30 June 2017, the unaudited NAV per ordinary share of the
Company was 162.4p (31 March 2017 audited NAV: 158.9p).
There was no revaluation of the Company's directly owned
investment properties during the quarter to 30 June 2017.
Foreign currency
The Company monitors foreign exchange exposures and considers
hedging where appropriate. Foreign currency balances have been
translated at the period end rates of GBP1:EUR1.138, GBP1:NOK10.879
or GBP1:INR83.974, as appropriate.
Strategy and outlook
ART continues to actively manage its portfolio to enhance the
value of the underlying assets, recycle capital from investments
where profit taking and portfolio optimisation opportunities are
identified and to originate new investment opportunities.
ART has secured circa GBP50 million of investment realisations
in the year to date including the sale of 70% of its equity
shareholding in H2O and the divestment of its IMPT equity and
mezzanine investments. The proceeds from this successful capital
recycling will allow for capital to be reinvested in new
opportunities that target attractive risk adjusted returns,
including new investment in the Company's mezzanine portfolio. ART
will also allocate proceeds to its build-to-rent portfolio, an
increasing area of focus for the Company that offers scope to
create resilient equity income returns at an attractive yield on
cost, with the potential for capital investment in excess of GBP30
million in the next 12 months.
As the Company increases its investment in build-to-rent
projects which are expected to provide increased income levels on
completion but will not produce income earnings while under
development, a greater proportion of the Company's total return is
likely to come from capital growth rather than earnings until its
build-to-rent investment become income producing.
The Company remains well positioned to continue to deliver
attractive returns through investing, realising and re-investing
its capital in asset backed investment opportunities.
Contact:
Alpha Real Trust Limited
David Jeffreys, Chairman, ART +44 (0)1481 231 100
Brad Bauman, Joint Fund Manager, ART +44 (0) 20 7391 4700
Gordon Smith, Joint Fund Manager, ART +44 (0) 20 7391 4700
Panmure Gordon, Broker to the Company
Richard Gray/Andrew Potts +44 (0) 207 886 2500
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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