• Solid set of 4Q18 results
• Bright operational outlook
• 6.4% FY19F yield as at 13 Feb close

DPU Up +3.1% in 4Q18

Far East Hospitality Trust (FEHT) posted a solid set of results which were within our expectations. 4Q18 revenue increased 12.4% YoY to S$28.9m due to the addition of Oasia Hotel Downtown into the portfolio, higher revenue from the rest of the hotel portfolio, and improved contribution from the serviced residences segment.

Correspondingly, NPI increased 13.9% YoY to S$26.3m. 4Q18 DPU increased 3.1% YoY to 1.00 S cent. For the fullyear, DPU increased 2.6% YoY to 4.00 S cents and came to 99% of our full-year forecast.

4Q RevPAR and RevPAU Each Up 7.5% YoY!

4Q18 Revenue per available room (RevPAR) for FEHT’s hotels increased 7.5% YoY to S$142 on the back of a 6.5% increase in average daily rate (ADR). This solid performance was due to the portfolio enjoying an uptick in market demand, the positive skew from the addition of Oasia Hotel Downtown to the portfolio, and the recent renovation of Orchard Rendezvous Hotel (formerly as Orchard Parade).

Surprisingly, Revenue per Available Unit (RevPAU) for FEHT’s serviced residences also grew 7.5% YoY, to S$179, mainly due to a 6.1 ppt increase in occupancy driven by online bookings from the leisure segment.

Four Quarters of Consecutive DPU Growth

FEHT has achieved four consecutive quarters of DPU growth in FY18 and we believe operational prospects ahead continue to look bright given the improvement in the hotel room supply situation. We continue to keep an eye on the relatively high gearing of 40.1% as at 31 Dec 2018 as it heightens the prospect of equity fundraising.

Management emphasized that they continue to be on the lookout for acquisitions and has restarted the Dividend Reinvestment Plan to help lower the gearing. Should FEHT proceed with any acquisitions, we believe some form of equity fundraising will be utilized. In general, equity fundraising is by itself not necessarily a negative for unitholders if it is paired with acquisitions in transactions that are DPU accretive. However, the risk of DPU dilutive transactions tends to be greater given the higher cost of equity vs. debt.

Keeping this in mind, we continue to see operational upside for the REIT and believe current valuations are undemanding. After adjustments, our fair value increases from S$0.675 to S$0.680. Since our upgrade from Hold to BUY on 13 Aug 2018 to 13 Feb’s close, FEHT has posted a +4.2% total return, outperforming the STI by 4.2 ppt. Maintain BUY.

Source: OCBC Research - 14 Feb 2019