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DXS

Why Investors don’t Care About Dexus’ 25.9% profit plunge?

Stuart Lucy

Stuart Lucy is an Investment Specialist at the Australian Stock Report, and has gained exposure to funds management and investment banking throughout his career. He draws on this experience to provide macroeconomic commentary and actionable investment insights to clients. Stuart is responsible for writing reports, is involved in delivering Macrovue webinars and provides general advice to our members on portfolio construction. Stuart currently holds RG146 General and Securities qualifications.

DEXUS Property Group (ASX: DXS) has only lost half a percent in trading today, sparing investors from the carnage that usually hurts shareholders in quality businesses that see a steep drop in earnings. One thing that saved the REIT from a similar fate is that the profit decline came primarily off the back of revaluation changes. As net profits are only a small percentage of the total value of all the real estate in a REIT, small changes in asset values can have a big effect on profits. Investors understand this, and the REIT held up reasonably well after the profit fall as a result.

dexus - investor

One other negative out of the result was a small decline in the WALE of their office portfolio to 4.4 years (FY18: 4.6 years), which came alongside an additional fall in the industrial portfolio WALE to 4.7 years (FY18: 4.8 years). The company has announced extending the WALE as a core priority for FY20. This is to be expected, given the WALE is well below other REITS and holds multiples down. WALE is the weighted average lease expiry, the number of years until a client ends their lease. This measure is seen as a proxy for earnings and asset quality by many investors.

One positive change in Dexus’ portfolio is the acquisition of the remaining 50% share in Sydney’s MLC Centre. This gives them control of the asset and increases the quality of Dexus’ book. It has however contributed to a fall in cap rates for Dexus, a trend which is set to accelerate this year after two interest rate cuts from the RBA.

Dividends rose by 8.8% to $529.0 across Dexus as a whole, while distributions per security rose by a 5% to 50.2c. This was impressive for a low inflation environment and was backed up by a healthy 3.3% growth rate in FFO per security.

Balance sheet gearing declined by 10 basis points to 24.0%, slightly improving cash flow sustainability. While real estate is often looked on positively by investors, high gearing can remove underlying asset outperformance in a financial crisis. As an example, a REIT that has 34% equity and 66% debt will decline by around 75% if the underlying real estate falls by 25%, a major source of REIT underperformance in the GFC. By having low gearing, Dexus is positioning itself as a more defensive holding for investors.

 


 

Disclaimer:

This article has been prepared by the Australian Stock Report Pty Ltd (AFSL: 301 682. ABN: 94 106 863 978) (“ASR”). ASR is part of Amalgamated Australian Investment Group Limited (AAIG) (ABN: 81 140 208 288 Level 13, 130 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000).

This article is provided for informational purpose only and does not purport to contain all matters relevant to any particular investment or financial instrument. Any market commentary in this communication is not intended to constitute “research” as defined by applicable regulations. Whilst information published on or accessed via this website is believed to be reliable, as far as permitted by law we make no representations as to its ongoing availability, accuracy or completeness. Any quotes or prices used herein are current at the time of preparation. This document and its contents are proprietary information and products of our firm and may not be reproduced or otherwise disseminated in whole or in part without our written consent unless required to by judicial or administrative proceeding. The ultimate decision to proceed with any transaction rests solely with you. We are not acting as your advisor in relation to any information contained herein. Any projections are estimates only and may not be realised in the future.

ASR has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

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