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APT Axa Property Trust Limited

31.75
0.00 (0.00%)
Last Updated: 01:00:00
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Axa Property Trust Limited LSE:APT London Ordinary Share GG00BHXH0C87 ORD NPV
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 31.75 31.00 32.50 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

AXA Property Trust Ld Interim Management Statement (3458O)

27/05/2015 10:09am

UK Regulatory


TIDMAPT

RNS Number : 3458O

AXA Property Trust Ld

27 May 2015

   To:                    Company Announcements 
   Date:                27 May 2015 
   Company:         AXA Property Trust Limited 
   Subject:            Net Asset Value 31 March 2015 (Unaudited) 

SUMMARY

CAPITAL REDEMPTIONS

- The Company paid a capital redemption of GBP1.8 million on 26 May 2015, bringing the total capital returned to Shareholders to GBP7.9 million.

QUARTERLY RESULTS

- The Company's unaudited Consolidated Net Asset Value at 31 March 2015 was GBP47.60 million (31 December 2014: GBP50.25 million)

- The unaudited Net Asset Value per share at 31 March 2015 was 53.56 pence (31 December 2014: 56.55 pence per share)

- The Company made a net profit after tax of GBP3.41 million in the nine month period to 31 March 2015.

MANAGED WIND-DOWN STATUS

- The Company continues to progress the managed wind-down of its portfolio with a view to realising its investments by December 2015 in a manner that achieves a balance between maximising the value from the Company's investments and making timely returns of capital to shareholders.

- Although no sales have been completed during the quarter, the sales of Altenstadt-Lindheim and Kraichtal (both in Germany) have been notarized and completion for the transactions is expected on 29 May 2015 and 30 June 2015 respectively.

- Marketing of the properties at Curno and Agnadello has commenced as part of an Italian portfolio including a third asset owned by European Added Value Fund S.à.r.l. (a subsidiary of European Added Value Fund Limited) which is also the Company's 50% Joint Venture partner in Agnadello.

- Marketing of Venray and Fuerth is ongoing, while at Dasing and Rothenburg asset management initiatives are being finalised before approaching potential investors.

PORTFOLIO UPDATE

Country Allocation at 31 March 2015 (by asset value)

   Country                        % of portfolio 
   Germany                       64% 
   Italy                              29% 
   Netherlands                   7% 

Sector Allocation at 31 March 2015 (by asset value)

   Sector                          % of portfolio 
   Retail                            56% 
   Industrial                       28% 
   Leisure                          16% 

MARKET UPDATE

European overview

Economic growth in the eurozone was positive during the final quarter of 2014, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanding by 0.3%, compared to the previous quarter, largely as a result of an increase in consumer spending. Despite the positive growth, Europe's recovery is still relatively weak. There are still several countries in Europe, such as France and Italy, which need to enact structural changes in order to stimulate growth, although the launch of eurozone-wide quantitative easing during the first quarter of 2015 has already had a major impact upon consumer confidence, which is growing, and on bank lending, which is increasing.

Government bond yields across the eurozone have continued to fall over the last year and the Euro has also weakened substantially. This is having a positive effect on European exports, which is likely to benefit the biggest exporters throughout 2015, with Germany benefiting more than other countries. As European bond yields have continued to fall, the yield differential to property has been expanding, despite further compression in property yields over the same period. While there are differences in the yield gap in some countries, the overall pattern holds for the bulk of Europe. This is likely to be supportive of further investment in property assets, particularly as investors searching for higher yields (the yield on property is still significantly above that available from government bonds) increase their allocations to property, fuelling additional demand.

European transaction volumes reached EUR53.8 billion during the first quarter of 2015 - down from EUR80.5 billion in Q4 2014, but higher than the EUR41.5 billion achieved in Q1 2014.

German Retail

Retail sales in Germany have been increasing since September 2014, growing at 0.7% year-on-year in March 2015. In Q1 2015, almost EUR3.7 billion was invested in German retail property, EUR960 million (35%) more than in the same quarter of the previous year. Compared to Q1 2014, investors have significantly increased their investment into shopping centres as well as retail warehouses and retail parks located in secondary locations, reflecting their higher risk tolerance. Prime rents have been flat over the last quarter, with the exception of Cologne and Munich. Cologne saw a EUR10/sq m/month decrease in prime rents to EUR270/sq m/month, while Munich experienced an increase by EUR10/sq m/month to EUR400/sq m/month.

Italian Industrial

The occupational market has slowed down since the beginning of the year and has been mainly tenant-friendly, characterized by the renegotiation of existing contracts and the consolidation of space. Logistics take-up in the first quarter of the year decreased by over 60% quarter-on-quarter to 80,000 sq m. Speculative development remained at a standstill so that quarterly take-up involved existing units, located in secondary locations within prime markets and with good accessibility. Lombardy and Emilia Romagna continued to be the regions with the strongest letting activity. With Grade 'A' space being the most sought after, availability in northern Italy has been decreasing, particularly in light of the scarcity of new speculative developments in the pipeline. However, vacancy rates across the country remained broadly stable during the quarter. 3PL operators were once again the most dynamic, accounting for circa 65% of the quarterly take-up. Overall, prime rents remained stable in the first quarter. The value of investments in Italy's industrial sector in Q1 2015 was approximately EUR90m, a sharp increase (60%) from the previous quarter.

Netherlands Logistics

In the Netherlands, the industrial market is continuing to benefit most from the country's economic recovery, due to its central location along the European logistics corridor. The Central and East Brabant and Limburg regions, which are focused on European distribution and high-tech sectors, continue to benefit from rents lower than elsewhere in the Netherlands, as well as good accessibility to the rest of Europe. Occupiers within the Netherlands are actively looking to relocate to more modern facilities with good accessibility but overall demand growth looks set to remain weak over the next few quarters, given the current uncertainty in the Eurozone. Following strong growth in 2014 along the European corridor (rental values were up 7.1% in Rotterdam), prime rents have remained stable in the first quarter of 2015 at EUR75/sq m/year. The investment market has, however, been relatively quiet in the first quarter, with EUR147 million invested. However, anticipated improving demand and stronger rental value growth prospects compared to other European markets has continued to push prime yields down in all locations.

CONSOLIDATED PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

 
                           Unaudited      Unaudited 
                         6 months ended   9 months 
                                            ended 
                        ---------------  ----------  --------------- 
                          31 December     31 March      Quarterly 
                              2014           2015        Movement 
                        ---------------  ----------  --------------- 
                           Pence per      Pence per     Pence per 
                              share         share         share / 
                                                             % 
                        ---------------  ----------  --------------- 
 Net Asset Value per                                     -2.99 / 
  share                      56.55          53.56         -5.29% 
                        ---------------  ----------  --------------- 
 Earnings per share           3.42          3.84           0.42 
                        ---------------  ----------  --------------- 
 Share price (mid 
  market)                    42.63          43.38      0.75 / 1.76% 
                        ---------------  ----------  --------------- 
 Share price discount                                 5.6 percentage 
  to Net Asset Value         24.6%          19.0%         points 
                        ---------------  ----------  --------------- 
 
 
 Total return per           Unaudited      Unaudited 
  Share 
                          6 months ended   9 months 
                                             ended 
                         ---------------  ---------- 
                           31 December     31 March 
                               2014           2015 
                         ---------------  ---------- 
 Net Asset Value Total 
  Return                       3.6%          -1.7% 
                         ---------------  ---------- 
 Share Price Total 
  Return 
                         ---------------  ---------- 
 - AXA Property Trust          4.2%          6.1% 
                         ---------------  ---------- 
 - FTSE All Share 
  Index                       -0.4%          4.2% 
                         ---------------  ---------- 
 - FTSE Real Estate 
  Investment Trust 
  Index                       12.3%          23.6% 
                         ---------------  ---------- 
 Source: Datastream; AXA Real 
  Estate 
 

Total net profit was GBP3.41 million (3.84 pence per share) for the nine months to 31 March 2015, comprising GBP0.50 million of "revenue" profit (excluding capital items such as revaluation of property) and GBP2.91 million of "capital" gain, analysed as follows:

 
                                Unaudited      Unaudited    Unaudited 
                              6 months ended    3 months     9 months 
                                                  ended        ended 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
                               31 December      31 March     31 March 
                                   2014           2015         2015 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
                                GBPmillion     GBPmillion   GBPmillion 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Net property income               2.20           1.34         3.53 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Net foreign exchange 
  (losses)/gains                  (0.15)         (0.21)       (0.36) 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Investment Manager's 
  fees                            (0.23)         (0.11)       (0.33) 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Other income and 
  expenses                        (0.74)         (0.53)       (1.28) 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Net finance costs                (0.73)         (0.33)       (1.06) 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Revenue profit                    0.34           0.16         0.50 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 
 Unrealised (losses) 
  / gains on revaluation 
  of investment properties         1.82           0.08         1.91 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Net losses on disposal             -              -            - 
  of investment properties 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 (Losses) / gains 
  on derivatives                   0.39           0.19         0.59 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Share in losses of 
  Joint Venture                    1.36           0.05         1.41 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Finance costs                    (0.38)         (0.08)       (0.46) 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Net foreign exchange 
  losses                          (0.13)           -          (0.13) 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Deferred tax                     (0.37)         (0.04)       (0.40) 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Capital gain (loss)               2.70           0.21         2.91 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 
 Total (net loss) 
  / profit                         3.04           0.37         3.41 
                             ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 

NET ASSET VALUE

The Company's unaudited Consolidated Net Asset Value decreased by GBP2.7 million during the quarter mainly as a result of the unfavourable movements in the Euro/Sterling exchange rate (-GBP9.38 million), which has been only partially compensated by the unrealised movement on derivatives (GBP6.35 million).

 
                            Unaudited      Unaudited    Unaudited 
                          6 months ended    3 months     9 months 
                                              ended        ended 
                         ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
                           31 December      31 March     31 March 
                               2014           2015         2015 
                         ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
                            GBPmillion     GBPmillion   GBPmillion 
                         ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Opening Net Asset 
  Value                       50.43          50.25        50.43 
                         ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
   Net (loss) / profit 
    after tax                  3.04           0.37         3.41 
                         ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
   Unrealised movement 
    on 
    derivatives                0.13           6.35         6.48 
                         ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
   Share Redemption           (2.00)          0.00        (2.00) 
                         ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
   Foreign exchange 
    translation losses        (1.35)         (9.38)      (10.73) 
                         ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Closing Net Asset 
  Value                       50.25          47.60        47.60 
                         ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 

Net Asset Value per share as at 31 March 2015 was 53.56 pence (56.55 pence as at 31 December 2014).

The Net Asset Value attributable to the Ordinary Shares is calculated under International Financial Reporting Standards. It includes all current year income after the deduction of dividends and capital redemptions paid prior to 31 March 2015.

On a like-for-like basis the Euro valuation of the property portfolio decreased by 0.67% to EUR99.5 million for the quarter. In Sterling currency terms, the property valuation was GBP71.9 million (including the effects of valuation movements, capital expenditure and foreign exchange movements). The GBP/EUR foreign exchange rate applied to the Company's Euro investments in its subsidiary companies at 31 March 2015 was 1.382 (31 December 2014: 1.289).

The Company's net property yield on current market valuation (after acquisition and operating costs) as at 31 March 2015 was 7.99% (8.02% as at 31 December 2014).

SHARE PRICE AND DISCOUNT TO NET ASSET VALUE

As at close of business on 31 March 2015, the mid-market price of the Company's shares on the London Stock Exchange was 43.38 pence, representing a discount of 19.0% to the Net Asset Value of 53.56 pence per share.

As at close of business on 26 May 2015, the mid-market price of the Company's shares was 44.13 pence, representing a discount of 18.0% to the Company's Net Asset Value at 31 March 2015.

FUND GEARING

 
                         Unaudited    Unaudited 
                        31 December    31 March       Movement 
                            2014         2015 
                       ------------  -----------  ---------------- 
                        GBPmillion    GBPmillion   GBPmillion / % 
                             /%           /% 
                       ------------  -----------  ---------------- 
 Property portfolio 
  *                        77.77        72.01       -5.76 / 7.4% 
                       ------------  -----------  ---------------- 
 Borrowings (net of 
  capitalised issue 
  costs)                   32.39        27.11       -5.28 / 16.3% 
                       ------------  -----------  ---------------- 
                                                   0.3 percentage 
 Total gross gearing       37.3%        37.6%           points 
                       ------------  -----------  ---------------- 
                                                   -0.8 percentage 
 Total net gearing         30.9%        30.1%           points 
                       ------------  -----------  ---------------- 
 

*Portfolio value based on the Company's independent valuation.

Fund gearing is included to provide an indication of the overall indebtedness of the Company and does not relate to any covenant terms in the Company's loan facilities. Gross gearing is calculated as debt over property portfolio at fair value. Net gearing is calculated as debt less cash over property portfolio at fair value.

LOAN FACILITIES

 
 Gross Loan to Value (LTV)     Unaudited      Unaudited 
  Covenants 
                              31 December   31 March 2015   Maximum 
                                  2014 
                             ------------  --------------  -------- 
 Main loan facility              43.3%          43.6%       60.00% 
                             ------------  --------------  -------- 
 

As at 31 March 2015, the loan-to-value ratio on the main loan facility was 43.6% based on the Company's independent valuation. The loan has an LTV covenant of 60% through to its expiry in July 2016.

 
 Interest Cover Ratio at        Historic    Minimum   Projected   Minimum   Net rental 
  31 March 2015                                                               income 
                               ----------            ---------- 
                                Unaudited             Unaudited              headroom 
                               ----------  --------  ----------  --------  ----------- 
 Main loan facility covenant      2.84x      2.0x       3.0x       1.85x      0.38x 
                               ----------  --------  ----------  --------  ----------- 
 

Interest Cover Ratio (ICR) is calculated as net financing expense payable as a percentage of net rental income less movement in arrears. Net rental income headroom is based on projected interest cover.

CASH POSITION AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

The Company and its subsidiaries held total cash of GBP5.43 million (EUR7.43 million) at 31 March 2015. The Company returned a further GBP1.8 million to Shareholders on 26 May 2015. The anticipated capital expenditure over the next twelve months is GBP1.5 million.

MATERIAL EVENTS

Except for those noted above, the Board of the Company is not aware of any significant event or transaction which occurred between 31 March 2015 and the date of the publication of this Statement which would have a material impact on the financial position of the Company.

Company website:

http://www.axapropertytrust.com

All Enquiries:

Investment Manager

AXA Investment Managers UK Limited

Broker Services

7 Newgate Street

London EC1A 7NX

Tel: +44 (0)20 7003 2345

Email: broker.services@axa-im.com

Broker

Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited

150 Cheapside

London EC2V 6ET

Neil Winward / Mark Bloomfield

Tel: +44 (0)20 7710 7600

Company Secretary

Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited

Trafalgar Court

Les Banques

St Peter Port

GY1 3QL

Tel: +44 (0)1481 745324

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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