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PSP Swiss Property AG

News Detail

Press release News vom 18.08.2020

Half-year results as per 30 June 2020

 

Press release

 

18 August 2020

 
Press release (PDF)
 

Half-year results as per 30 June 2020

 

PSP Swiss Property with solid interim results. Ebitda forecast is confirmed. Improved vacancy rate guidance for year-end 2020.

 

To date, PSP Swiss Property has managed the challenges due to the corona crisis well. The lockdown had only a minor impact on the half-year results. PSP Swiss Property considers itself well positioned for the current year due to its high-quality portfolio and its solid capital structure.

 

Real estate portfolio

At the end of June 2020, the carrying value of the total portfolio was CHF 8.127 billion (end of 2019: CHF 7.982 billion).

 

At the end of March 2020, a plot with a commercial building (built in 1975/1991) at Grubenstrasse 6 in Zurich (district 2) was acquired for CHF 33.5 million. The structure will be replaced with a modern new building offering a mixed use (around 5 600 m2 of office and 5 900 m2 of commercial space). The investment sum amounts to approximately CHF 35 million. The new property will benefit from its good location: the bus and suburban railway stations Zurich Binz are located right next to the building. Demolition work on the existing building have begun. The new building should be constructed between 2021 and 2023.

 

The properties acquired at Bärenplatz in Bern in January 2019 will be extensively renovated and modernised by the end of 2021. The investment sum amounts to around CHF 14 million. The ground floor and the first basement floor are intended to be used for gastronomy (around 1’100 m2), with office space above (around 1’300 m2) and some small apartments (around 900 m2) in the uppermost parts of the building. 30% of the space (gastronomy area) has already been pre-let. The remaining areas are being negotiated.

 

The office building at Grosspeterstrasse 18 in Basel no longer meets today's requirements. Planned is a new construction with around 5’600 m2 of office space; 50% has already been pre-let to Swisscom. The investment sum amounts to around CHF 34 million. The construction approval is still pending; however, the construction start is expected for autumn 2020. The construction period will take about two and a half years.

 

The valuation of the properties resulted in an appreciation of CHF 31.1 million. Thereof, CHF 26.4 million were related to the investment portfolio and CHF 4.7 million to the sites and developments projects. The portfolio’s weighted average nominal discount rate stood at 3.29% (year-end 2019: 3.32%). The appreciation resulted mainly from the lower discount rate as well as from various lettings and the reduction in vacancies. In contrast, more cautious income forecasts in connection with COVID-19 had the effect of reducing the value in individual cases.

 

At the end of June 2020, the vacancy rate stood at 3.4% (end of 2019: 3.5%). 0.6 percentage points of all vacancies is due to ongoing renovations. Of the lease contracts maturing in 2020 (CHF 31.7 million), 92% were already renewed. The wault (weighted average unexpired lease term) of the total portfolio was 4.1 years. The wault of the ten largest tenants, contributing around 30% of the rental income, was 5.8 years.

 

Consolidated half-year results (January to June 2020)

Net income excluding gains/losses on real estate investments amounted to CHF 98.3 million, this corresponds to a decrease of CHF 17.1 million or 14.8% compared to the previous year’s period (H1 2019: CHF 115.3 million). The decrease is due to positive one-off effects in H1 2019 – the reduction of income tax rates in the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Geneva resulted in a release of deferred taxes totalling CHF 58.0 million, of which CHF 21.6 million had a positive impact on net income excluding gains/losses on real estate investments.

 

Rental income increased by CHF 1.7 million to CHF 146.7 million (H1 2019: CHF 145.0 million). This is despite the fact that in Q2 2020, rent reliefs of CHF 2.3 million were recorded in connection with the lockdown. Operating expenses decreased by CHF 1.7 million to CHF 25.9 million (H1 2019: CHF 27.6 million). Financial expenses declined by further CHF 3.0 million to CHF 7.1 million (H1 2019: CHF 10.0 million).

 

Earnings per share excluding gains/losses on real estate investments, which is the basis for the dividend distribution, amounted to CHF 2.14 (H1 2019: CHF 2.51).

 

Net income reached CHF 121.8 million (H1 2019: CHF 258.8 million). Positive one-off effects in H1 2019 also explain the decline in net income by CHF 137.0 million or 52.9%. In addition to the effects already mentioned, the portfolio appreciation in the reporting period was lower at CHF 31.1 million compared to H1 2019 (CHF 124.7 million). Furthermore, in the previous year's period, income of CHF 15.0 million had resulted from the sale of two investment properties. Earnings per share amounted to CHF 2.66 (H1 2019: CHF 5.64).

 

At the end of June 2020, net asset value (NAV) per share was CHF 96.07; the dividend of CHF 3.60 per share paid on 17 April 2020 must be considered in this regard (end of 2019: CHF 97.02). NAV before deducting deferred taxes amounted to CHF 115.23 (end of 2019: CHF 115.82).

 

Strong capital structure

With total equity of CHF 4.406 billion at the end of June 2020 (end of 2019: CHF 4.450 billion) – corresponding to an equity ratio of 53.8% (end of 2019: 55.4%) – the equity base remains strong. Interest-bearing debt amounted to CHF 2.808 billion, corresponding to 34.3% of total assets (end of 2019: CHF 2.596 billion or 32.3%).The passing average cost of debt was low at 0.52% (end of 2019: 0.73%). The average fixed-interest period was 5.5 years (end of 2019: 4.4 years). Currently, unused credit lines amount to CHF 900 million (thereof CHF 730 million committed).

 

PSP Swiss Property has ratings from two international rating agencies: Senior Unsecured Rating A- (outlook stable) from Fitch and A3 Issuer Rating (outlook stable) from Moody’s.

 

Remarks with regard to the corona crisis

The measures taken by the Federal Council in mid-March 2020 to combat the coronavirus, most of which have since been repealed, had a severe impact on the population and the economy. How long it will take to return to normality is impossible to predict from today’s perspective. This depends on how a future spread of the coronavirus can be contained and how badly the lockdown has damaged the economy.

 

Thanks to its broad portfolio diversification and its focus on office use, the exposure of PSP Swiss Property in the sectors affected by ordered business closures is manageable (21% of total rental income). Moreover, the impact on these tenants varies widely. PSP Swiss Property has approximately 2 300 tenants; thereof, around 220 were directly affected by the ordered closure of their businesses. Until the end of June 2020, about 350 tenants had applied for a deferral of payment or a rent adjustment. As an emergency measure, payment extensions were granted, if this was appropriate. Overall, rent reliefs in the amount of CHF 2.3 million were recognised in the Q2 2020 income statement. As at 30 June 2020, outstanding lockdown-related rent receivables amounted to CHF 5.2 million.

 

In June 2020, the Federal Council was mandated by a motion to draft a law requiring a subsequent rent reduction of 60% in favour of tenants affected by the authorities' closure of their businesses. The planned regulation is intended to ensure that agreements made between tenants prior to the adoption of the law remain valid; and will apply only to monthly rents of up to CHF 20 000, with the possibility for both, the landlord and the tenants, to refuse the regulation if the monthly rent exceeds CHF 15 000. This means that further consensual agreements will not be blocked but more difficult to achieve. The introduction of a corresponding regulation (for monthly rents up to CHF 15 000) would result in total estimated rent reliefs of additional approximately CHF 0.7 million for PSP Swiss Property.

 

Subsequent events

With effect from 1 August 2020, an asset swap with Zurich Insurance Group was carried out. The commercial building at Seilerstrasse 8 in Bern was acquired for CHF 23.7 million from Zurich Insurance Group (we already own the immediately adjacent property at Seilerstrasse 8a). As a counter transaction, the development property at Zurlindenstrasse 134 in Zurich was sold for CHF 15.0 million; resulting in a gain of CHF 7.6 million.

 

Market environment and outlook 2020

An outlook of the Swiss economy is more difficult than ever. Most forecasts predict a decline in GDP by around 6% for 2020. A return to growth rates is expected in Q3 or Q4 2020. However, GDP is unlikely to reach pre-corona levels before 2022. It is just as difficult to anticipate the impact of the corona crisis on the real estate sector. More than ever, it must be differentiated between the various sub-segments. The situation is different for office space and other commercial properties and it varies significantly depending on the quality of their location. PSP Swiss Property expects demand for modern office space in A-locations to remain stable in the coming months. On the other hand, the market for older office buildings in B- and C-locations as well as non-food retail space, which had been challenging even before the crisis, will remain difficult for the time being.

 

It is yet too early for a final assessment of the impact the corona crisis will have on our business activities. However, PSP Swiss Property is well prepared for the times ahead for a number of reasons: we have a high-quality portfolio with a low vacancy rate. The main use is office space and the tenant base is broadly diversified. The development projects, most of which are already well let, will generate further growth. We also have a solid equity base and sufficient financing sources.

 

For the business year 2020, an ebitda excluding gains/losses on real estate investments of around CHF 260 million is confirmed (2019: CHF 256.1 million).

 

With regard to the vacancies, a lower rate of around 3% at year-end 2020 is now expected (previously: around 3.5%; end of June 2020: 3.4%).

 

Key figures

Key financial figures

Unit

2019

H1 2019

H1 2020

+/-1

Rental income

CHF 1 000

290 460

144 985

146 689

1.2%

EPRA like-for-like change

%

1.2

1.9

-0.92

 

Net changes fair value real estate investments

CHF 1 000

244 176

124 688

31 131

 

Income property sales (inventories)

CHF 1 000

12 835

2 806

1 335

 

Income property sales (investment properties)

CHF 1 000

14 961

14 961

0

 

Total other income

CHF 1 000

7 957

3 846

4 872

 

Net income

CHF 1 000

453 425

258 762

121 780

-52.9%

Net income excl. real estate gains3

CHF 1 000

215 214

115 305

98 251

-14.8%

Ebitda excl. real estate gains

CHF 1 000

256 145

125 718

127 691

1.6%

Ebitda margin

%

82.0

82.3

83.5

 

Total assets

CHF 1 000

8 036 244

 

8 196 117

2.0%

Shareholders’ equity

CHF 1 000

4 450 220

 

4 406 424

-1.0%

Equity ratio

%

55.4

 

53.8

 

Return on equity

%

10.5

 

5.5

 

Interest-bearing debt

CHF 1 000

2 596 136

 

2 807 772

8.2%

Interest-bearing debt in % of total assets

%

32.3

 

34.3

 

Portfolio key figures

 

 

 

 

 

Number of investment properties

Number

162

 

161

 

Carrying value investment properties

CHF 1 000

7 259 441

 

7 279 741

0.3%

Implied yield, gross

%

4.0

4.0

3.9

 

Implied yield, net

%

3.4

3.5

3.4

 

Vacancy rate end of period (CHF)

%

3.5

 

3.4

 

Number of sites/development properties

Number

12

 

15

 

Carrying value sites/development properties

CHF 1 000

722 223

 

847 706

17.4%

Headcount

 

 

 

 

 

Employees/FTE

People

94/89

 

95/88

 

Per share figures

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share (EPS)4

CHF

9.89

5.64

2.66

-52.9%

EPS excl. real estate gains4

CHF

4.69

2.51

2.14

-14.8%

Distribution per share

CHF

3.605

n.a.

n.a.

 

Net asset value per share (NAV)6

CHF

97.02

 

96.07

-1.0%

NAV per share before deferred taxes6

CHF

115.82

 

115.23

-0.5%

Share price end of period

CHF

133.60

 

106.70

-20.1%

 

1

Change to H1 2019 or carrying value as of 31 December 2019 as applicable.

2

EPRA like-for-like change excluding COVID-19 impact is +0.7%.

3

“Net income excluding gains/losses on real estate investments” corresponds to the net income excluding net changes in fair value of the real estate investments, net income on sales of investment properties and all of the related taxes. Income from the sale of properties which were developed by the Company itself is, however, included in the “net income excluding gains/losses on real estate investments”.

4

Based on average number of outstanding shares.

5

For the business year 2019. Cash payment was made on 17 April 2020.

6

Based on number of outstanding shares.

 

Further information

Giacomo Balzarini, CEO · Phone +41 (0)44 625 59 59 · Mobile +41 (0)79 207 32 40

Vasco Cecchini, CCO · Phone +41 (0)44 625 57 23 · Mobile +41 (0)79 650 84 32

 

Report and presentation are available on www.psp.info

www.psp.info/reports

www.psp.info/presentations

 

Today, 10:30 Uhr (CET): conference call

Access to the call: you will receive phone number, passcode and your personal PIN to directly access the call by pre-registering (required) here.

Should you have any issues with the registration, please dial the following number 10-15 minutes prior to conference start:

Switzerland/Europe/etc. +41 (0) 58 310 50 00; UK +44 (0) 207 107 0613; US +1 (1) 631 570 56 13

 

Agenda

Publication Q1-Q3 2020 · 10 November 2020

Publication FY 2020 · 23 February 2021

Annual General Meeting 2021 · 31 March 2021

Publication Q1 2021 · 30 April 2021