Half Yearly Results

AEW UK REIT plc (AEWU)
AEW UK REIT plc: Half Yearly Results

17-Nov-2021 / 07:00 GMT/BST
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17 November 2021

 

 

AEW UK REIT PLC

 

Interim Report and Financial Statements

for the six months ended 30 September 2021

 

AEW UK REIT PLC ("AEW UK REIT" or the "Company"), , which holds a diversified portfolio of 35 commercial investment properties throughout the UK, is pleased to publish its Interim Report and Financial Statements for the six months ended 30 September 2021.

 

Mark Burton, Chairman of AEW UK REIT, commented: "We are very pleased with the strong performance over the period with the Company's NAV increasing by 10.96% and a total shareholder return of 28.37%.  . The valuation of the Company's property portfolio rose by 9.81% on a like-for-like basis, chiefly driven by its industrial assets. The sales of Langthwaite Industrial Estate, South Kirkby for £10.84 million and Wella Warehouse, Basingstoke for £5.86 million post period end were well above both purchase prices and book values.

 

The Company continues to see a number of attractive investment opportunities as it seeks to deliver further attractive returns to shareholders and support the 8p annual dividend. The Company made two acquisitions during the period, and one after half-year end, that are aligned with AEWU's strategy of adding value through active asset management by renewing current tenancies and securing new tenants. "

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

Net Asset Value ('NAV') of £174.29 million and of 110.01 pence per share ('pps') as at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: £157.08 million and 99.15 pps).

 

Operating profit before fair value changes of £5.88 million for the period (six months ended 30 September 2020: £5.93 million).

 

Profit Before Tax ('PBT') of £23.55 million and earnings per share ('EPS') of 14.86 pps for the period (six months ended 30 September 2020: £5.72 million and 3.61 pps). PBT includes a £16.60 million gain arising from changes to the fair values of investment properties in the period (six months ended 30 September 2020: loss of £3.33 million). This change explains the significant rise in PBT for the period.

 

     

EPRA Earnings Per Share ('EPRA EPS') for the period of 3.45 pps (six months ended 30 September 2020: 3.41 pps).

 

Total dividends of 4.00 pps declared in relation to the period (six months ended 30 September 2020: 4.00 pps).

Shareholder Total Return for the period of 28.37% (six months ended 30 September 2020: 16.13%).

 

The price of the Company's Ordinary Shares on the London Stock Exchange was 102.80 pps as at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: 83.20 pps).

 

As at 30 September 2021, the Company had a balance of £50.50 million drawn down (31 March 2021: £39.50 million) of its £60.00 million (31 March 2021: £60.00 million) term credit facility with the Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited ('RBSi') and was geared to 28.97% of NAV (31 March 2021: 25.15%). The Company can draw £9.50 million of the remaining facility up to the maximum 35% Loan to NAV at drawdown (see note 13 below for further details).

 

The Company held cash balances totalling £15.16 million as at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: £17.45 million).

 

 

Property Highlights

 

As at 30 September 2021, the Company's property portfolio had a valuation of £206.69 million across 35 properties (31 March 2021: £179.00 million across 34 properties) as assessed by the valuer1 and a historical cost of £197.69 million (31 March 2021: £173.28 million).

The Company acquired two properties during the period for a total purchase price of £18.54 million, excluding acquisition costs (year ended 31 March 2021: one property for £5.40 million). Post period-end, in November 2021, the Company acquired a retail park asset

in Coventry for a purchase price of £16.41 million, excluding acquisition costs.

The Company made one disposal during the period, Langthwaite Industrial Estate, South Kirkby for gross sale proceeds of £10.84 million (year ended 31 March 2021: two properties for gross sale proceeds of £29.30 million). Post period-end, in October 2021, the

Company disposed of Wella Warehouse, Basingstoke, for gross proceeds of £5.86 million.

 

The portfolio had an EPRA vacancy rate of 8.59% as at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: 8.96%). Excluding vacancy contributed by Bath Street, Glasgow, which was exchanged to be sold with the condition of vacant possession, the vacancy rate was 5.43% (31 March 2021: 5.58%).

 

Rental income generated during the period was £7.87 million (six months ended 30 September 2020: £8.12 million).

 

EPRA Net Initial Yield ('EPRA NIY') of 6.45% as at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: 7.37%).

 

Weighted Average Unexpired Lease Term ('WAULT') of 4.00 years to break and 6.20 years to expiry (31 March 2021: 4.43 years to break and 6.71 years to expiry).

 

As at the date of this report, 87% of the rent due for the September 2021 quarter had been collected, 99% for the June 2021 quarter and 99% for the March 2021 quarter.

 

 

1 The valuation figure is reconciled to the fair value under IFRS in note 10.

 

 

Chairman's Statement

 

Overview

I am pleased to report the unaudited interim results of the Company for the six months ended 30 September 2021 (the 'period'). The Company held a diversified portfolio of 35 commercial investment properties located throughout the UK with a value of £206.69 million as at 30 September 2021.

 

The Company's NAV has performed well over the period, having increased by 10.96%. The valuation of the Company's property portfolio rose by 9.81% on a like-for-like basis over the period, chiefly driven by its industrial assets. The sales of Langthwaite Industrial Estate, South Kirkby for £10.84 million and Wella Warehouse, Basingstoke for £5.86 million post period end were undertaken at 1.9x and 1.7x the purchase prices, respectively. The resulting profits achieved on disposal were £2.25 million and £1.93 million above book values, respectively, providing a boost to the Company's NAV. The Company closed the period in a position to take advantage of attractive opportunities to reinvest as a result of its cash position and debt covenant headroom. The Company has maintained a conservative Loan to NAV ratio, which stood at 29.00% at 30 September 2021, and had a healthy cash balance of £15.16 million.

 

Following the disposal of the Corby and Solihull sites in the prior period, the Company reinvested the sales proceeds to make two acquisitions during the period. Arrow Point Retail Park in Shrewsbury was acquired in May 2021 for £8.35 million and is a fully-let, purpose-built retail park prominently located on a busy estate and providing a Net Initial Yield ('NIY') of 8.7%. The second, 15-33 Union Street, Bristol, is a prime retail site located on a busy pedestrian thoroughfare in Bristol city centre and was purchased for £10.19 million, equating to a low capital value of £161 per sq ft and reflecting a NIY of 8.0%. Both of these assets provide opportunity for value growth in the medium to long term, and also have strong and stable income streams from their tenancy profiles.

 

The ongoing remedial works in Blackpool, along with the vacancy costs at Glasgow where we have sold an asset conditional on obtaining vacant possession, have constrained the portfolio's overall EPRA EPS, which was 3.45 pence for the period, providing a dividend cover of 86.10%. Following the planned sale of Glasgow, currently anticipated in December 2021, and completion of the works at Blackpool in early 2022, we expect this cost overhead to fall, leading to an increase in the EPRA EPS. The Company has made one acquisition post period-end of a retail park in Coventry for a purchase price of £16.41 million. This presents opportunities to add value through active asset management by renewing current tenancies and securing new tenants, which will further add to the recent strong income return and NAV growth achieved by the Company. The acquisition is accretive to EPRA EPS and takes the Company close to full investment.

 

The Company continues to work with its tenants in order to manage the difficulties posed by the pandemic. To date, the tenancy profile of the Company has proved to be resilient, demonstrated by the Company's low underlying vacancy rate of 5.43%* by Estimated Rental Value ('ERV') as at 30 September 2021. Rent collection rates have remained high for the March and June 2021 quarters, being 99% for both and 87% has been collected to date for the September 2021 rent quarter. These collection rates are high in comparison with the averages seen in the wider market and we expect that ultimate rates of collection, following the expiry of longer-term payment plans, should result in collection rates in excess of 98%. There are a small number of tenants who continue to face challenges in the current environment, and in a small number of cases the Company has agreed a longer-term payment plan to recover rental income in full over an extended period. A prudent assessment has been made of the recoverability of the Company's outstanding debts and a provision has been made in the financial statements for potential debt write-offs.

 

The office park at Oxford continues to perform well with its transition to life sciences/medical use, a sector which is seeing particularly strong investor demand at present. Moreover, after a tumultuous period for the retail sector, we have seen valuations stabilise this period, with our valuations increasing by 1.36% on a like-for-like basis, particularly driven by our new retail warehousing holding in Shrewsbury. Stock selection and active asset management continue to be key features of the Company's strategy and drivers of performance. During the period, the Company completed a number of lettings and lease renewals, the most notable of which was two new lettings at our office holding in Bristol, both of which were 15% above ERV. These are noted in more detail below in the 'Asset Management' section of the Investment Manager's Report.

 

The Company's share price was 102.80 pence per share as at 30 September 2021, representing a 6.56% discount to NAV (31 March 2021: 83.20 pence per share, representing a 16.1% discount to NAV). Subsequent to the period-end, the Company's share price has experienced additional growth, causing a further reduction in the discount to NAV.

 

* Including vacancy contributed by Bath Street, Glasgow, which has been sold with the condition of vacant possession, the vacancy rate was 8.59%.

 

 

Financial Results

 




Six months ended 30 September 2021 

 



Year ended 31 March 2021




Six months ended 30 September 2020 

 

 

 

 

Operating Profit before fair value changes (£'000)

5,879

10,735

5,934

Operating Profit (£'000)

23,919

23,102

6,276

Profit Before Tax (£'000)

23,547

22,172

5,724

Earnings Per Share (basic and diluted) (pence)*

14.86

13.98

3.61

EPRA Earnings Per Share (basic and diluted) (pence)*

3.45

6.19

3.41

Ongoing Charges (%)

1.31

1.36

1.31

Net Asset Value per share (pence)

110.01

99.15

92.73

EPRA Net Asset Value per share (pence)

109.94

99.11

92.70

 

* see note 8 of the Financial Statements for the corresponding calculations.

Financing

The Company has a £60.00 million loan facility, of which it had drawn a balance of £50.50 million as at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: £60.00 million facility; £39.50 million drawn), producing a Loan to NAV ratio of 28.97% (31 March 2021: 25.15%).

 

The unexpired term of the facility was 2.1 years as at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: 2.6 years). The loan incurs interest at 3-month SONIA +1.4%, which equated to an all-in rate of 1.47% as at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: 3-month LIBOR + 1.4% equating to an all-in rate of 1.44%).

 

The Company is protected from a significant rise in interest rates as it has interest rate caps in place. Throughout the period and up to the date of this report, the Company had in effect interest rate caps on a notional value of £51.50 million of the loan, capped at 1.00%, which resulted in the loan balance being 102.0% hedged as at 30 September 2021.

 

As noted in the KPIs, the Company targets long-term gearing of 35% Loan to NAV, which is the maximum gearing on drawdown of the RBSi facility. The Board and Investment Manager continue to monitor the level of gearing and have the ability to adjust the target gearing according to the Company's circumstances and perceived risk levels.

 

The Company passed its Interest Cover Ratio ('ICR') tests for April, July and October 2021 with significant headroom.

 

Dividends

The Company has continued to deliver on its target of paying dividends of 8.00 pence per share per annum. During the period, the Company declared and paid two quarterly dividends of 2.00 pence per Ordinary Share, in line with its target. Dividends for the period were 86.00% covered by EPRA EPS.

 

It remains the Company's intention to continue to pay dividends in line with its dividend policy, and the existing portfolio and investment opportunities support this policy. However, the outlook remains unclear in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and in determining future dividend payments, regard will be had to the circumstances prevailing at the relevant time, as well as the Company's requirement, as a UK REIT, to distribute at least 90% of its distributable income annually.

 

Outlook

The easing of most of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions, combined with the continued rollout of the vaccination programme, has lifted most economists' outlook for the post COVID-19 rebound in the second half of 2021. In light of this, the property market has experienced a gradual recovery, with rent collection levels greatly improving, as cash flow pressures on tenants ease. With its strong cash position and borrowing covenant headroom, the Company is well positioned to take advantage of attractive opportunities coming to the market. During the period, the Company has displayed strong NAV performance, reflecting the geographical diversity of the portfolio, its circa 50% exposure to the industrial sector and the fact that many of its assets benefit from viable alternative use potential, limiting downside risk and volatility.

 

In the near term, the Board and Investment Manager will continue to focus on minimising the legacy impact of COVID-19 on its stakeholders and, as more attractive opportunities arise in the investment market, will aim to find suitable assets to build earnings back to a fully covered dividend. The developing economic conditions will be monitored closely and the Company's strategy adjusted accordingly. It is hoped that the start of 2022 will build upon the economic recovery of the second half of 2021, providing conditions to enable further growth of the Company

 

 

Mark Burton

Chairman

16 November 2021

 

 

 

 

Key Performance Indicators

 

 

KPI AND DEFINITION

 

RELEVANCE TO STRATEGY

 

TARGET

PERFORMANCE

1. EPRA NIY

A representation to investors of what their initial net yield would be at a predetermined purchase price after taking account of all associated costs, e.g. void costs and rent free periods.

 

 

The Company's EPRA NIY demonstrates the ability to generate income from its portfolio in the short-term in order to meet its target dividend.

 

 

7.50 - 10.00%

6.45%

at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: 7.37%).

2. True Equivalent Yield

The average weighted return a property will produce according to the present income and ERV assumptions, assuming the income is received quarterly in advance.

 

 

The Company's True Equivalent Yield demonstrates the Company's ability to generate income, both from its existing leases and its ERVs, in order to meet its target dividend.

 

7.50 - 10.00%

7.67%

at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: 8.15%).

3. Reversionary Yield

The expected return the property will provide once rack rented.

 

 

A Reversionary Yield profile shows a potentially sustainable income stream that can be used to meet dividends past the expiry of a property's current leasing arrangements.

 

7.50 - 10.00%

7.67%

at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: 8.18%).

 

4. WAULT to expiry

The average lease term remaining to expiry across the portfolio, weighted by contracted rent.

 

 

The Investment Manager believes that current market conditions present an opportunity whereby assets with a shorter unexpired lease term are often mispriced. It is also the Investment Manager's view that a shorter WAULT is useful for active asset management, particularly in certain growth sectors such as warehousing, as it allows the Investment Manager to engage in direct negotiation with tenants rather than via rent-review mechanisms.

 

 

>3 years

6.20 years

at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: 6.71 years).

5. WAULT to break

The average lease term remaining to break, across the portfolio weighted by contracted rent.

 

 

The Investment Manager believes that current market conditions present an opportunity whereby assets with a shorter unexpired lease term are often mispriced. As such, it is in line with the Investment Manager's strategy to acquire properties with a WAULT that is generally shorter than the benchmark. It is also the Investment Manager's view that a shorter WAULT is useful for active asset management, particularly in certain growth sectors such as warehousing, as it allows the Investment Manager to engage in direct negotiation with tenants rather than via rent-review mechanisms.

 

 

>3 years

4.00 years

at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: 4.43 years).

6. NAV

NAV is the value of an entity's assets minus the value of its liabilities.

 

 

Provides stakeholders with the most relevant information on the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the Company.

 

 

Increase year-on-year

£174.29 million

at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: £157.08 million).

7. Leverage (Loan to NAV)

The proportion of the Company's net assets that is funded by borrowings.

 

 

The Company has changed the measure of its Leverage KPI from 'Loan to Gross Asset Value ('GAV')' to 'Loan to NAV'. This is in line with the measure used in its banking covenants and so is considered to be more relevant to the Company's position.

The target of 35% Loan to NAV, which is the gearing limit at drawdown under the RBSi facility, approximates to the previous target of 25% Loan to GAV, which is the measure used in the Company's Investment Guidelines. Gearing will continue to be monitored using both measures.

 

 

35%

28.97%

at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: 25.15%).

8. Vacant ERV

The space in the property portfolio which is currently unlet, as a percentage of the total ERV of the portfolio.

 

 

The Company's aim is to minimise vacancy of the properties. A low level of structural vacancy provides an opportunity for the Company to capture rental uplifts and manage the mix of tenants within a property.

 

 

<10.00%

8.59% / 5.43% excluding vacancy contributed by Glasgow*

at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: 8.96%/5.58% excluding vacancy contributed by Glasgow).

 

9. Dividend 

Dividends declared in relation to the year. The Company targets a dividend of 8.00 pence per Ordinary Share per annum. However, given the current COVID-19 situation, regard will be had to the circumstances prevailing at the relevant time in determining dividend payments.

 

 

The dividend reflects the Company's ability to deliver a sustainable income stream from its portfolio.

 

 

4.00 pps (six month period to 30 September)

4.00 pps

for the six months to 30 September 2021.

This supports an annualised target of 8.00 pps (six months to 30 September 2020: 4.00 pps).

 

10. Ongoing Charges

The ratio of annualised administration and operating costs expressed as a percentage of average NAV throughout the period.

 

 

The Ongoing Charges ratio provides a measure of total costs associated with managing and operating the Company, which includes the management fees due to the Investment Manager. This measure is to provide investors with a clear picture of operational costs involved in running the Company.

 

 

<1.50%

1.31%

for the six months to 30 September 2021 (six months to 30 September 2020: 1.31%).

11. Profit before Tax ('PBT')

PBT is a profitability measure which considers the Company's profit before the payment of income tax.

 

 

The PBT is an indication of the Company's financial performance for the period in which its strategy is exercised.

 

4.00 pps (six month period to

30 September)

£23.55 million/14.86 pps

for the six months to 30 September 2021 (six months to 30 September 2020: £5.72 million/3.61 pps).

12. Shareholder Total Return

The percentage change in the share price assuming dividends are reinvested to purchase additional Ordinary Shares.

 

 

This reflects the return seen by shareholders on their shareholdings through share price movements and dividends received.

 

8.00%

 

28.37%

for the six months to 30 September 2021 (six months to 30 September 2020: 16.13%).

13. EPRA EPS

Earnings from core operational activities. A key measure of a company's underlying operating results from its property rental business and an indication of the extent to which current dividend payments are supported by earnings. See note 8.

 

 

This reflects the Company's ability to generate earnings from the portfolio which underpins dividends.

 

4.00 pps (six month period to

30 September)

3.45 pps

for the six months to 30 September 2021 (six months to 30 September 2020: 3.41 pps).

 

* Glasgow has exchanged to be sold with condition of vacant possession.

 

Investment Manager's Report

 

Economic Outlook

The easing of most of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions has increased market optimism in both the direct and indirect markets. Oxford Economics' latest forecasts published in mid-September 2021 indicate UK GDP growth to be 6.9% for the whole year, compared with the 9.8% contraction in 2020. However, the Bank of England signalled its concerns on inflation being well ahead of its target in mid-October. Due to energy, labour and materials shortages UK inflation is expected to peak near 6% in early 2022. As a result, gilt markets are pricing in interest rate hikes starting in December 2021 followed by further increases in 2022. Despite these interest rate increases, Oxford Economics' latest forecast confirms the continued strong UK economic recovery with GDP growth of 6.7% in 2022.

 

Although the direct markets are still strongest in the industrial and warehouse sector, the next year is expected to be a year of recovery and growth where some parts of the retail and leisure sectors may be the beneficiaries. The Company is focusing on portfolio adjustments to take advantage of value opportunities, driven more by the specifics of the asset than the sector. This may see the Company realise profits through sales where it believes values have been optimised and where the funds can be recycled into assets with better growth potential going forwards. There is likely to be a slightly reduced weighting to business space and a rotation towards retail warehousing, leisure and a continued focus on assets with viable alternative use value. Assets whose current value is supported by long-term alternative use optionality, irrespective of current use, will be of increasing importance in our stock selection process. Moreover, recent changes to the Use Classes Order are likely to have a significant impact on portfolios in terms of broadening potential use. Finally, in line with market optimism and a period of post pandemic growth, rent collection rates have strongly improved and this trend is expected to continue.

 

Financial Results

The Company's NAV as at 30 September 2021 was £174.29 million or 110.01 pps (31 March 2021: £157.08 million or 99.15 pps). This is an increase of 10.86 pps or 10.96% over the period.

 

EPRA EPS for the period was 3.45 pence which, based on dividends paid of 4.00 pps, reflects a dividend cover of 86.00%. The increase in dividend cover compared to the prior six-month period has largely arisen due to improvements in rent collection levels, along with successful legal outcomes that have recovered significant arrears. Income across the tenancy profile has remained largely intact. Collection rates have reached 99% for both the March and June 2021 quarters respectively, with further payments expected to be received under longer-term payment plans. Of the outstanding arrears, £0.61 million has been provided for expected credit losses.

 

Financing

As at 30 September 2021, the Company has a £60.00 million loan facility with RBSi, in place until October 2023, the details of which are presented below:

 

 

30 September 2021

31 March 2021

Facility

£60.00 million

£60.00 million

Drawn

£50.50 million

£39.50 million

Gearing (Loan to NAV)

28.97%

25.15%

Interest rate

1.47% all-in (SONIA + 1.4%)

1.44% all-in (LIBOR +1.4%)

Notional Value of Loan Balance Hedged

102.0%

130.4%

 

 

Due to GBP LIBOR ending at the end of 2021, the Company transitioned to SONIA on 20 July 2021, with a credit adjustment spread of 0.0981%.

 

Property Portfolio

During the period, the Company disposed of Langthwaite Industrial Estate, South Kirkby, for net proceeds of £10.84 million. The Company made two acquisitions during the period being: Arrow Point Retail Park in Shrewsbury, which was acquired in May 2021 for £8.35 million, and 15-33 Union Street, Bristol, which was purchased in June 2021 for a price of £10.19 million.

 

The following tables illustrate the composition of the portfolio in relation to its properties, tenants and income streams:

 

Summary by Sector as at 30 September 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sector

 

 

 

 


Number of

assets

 

 

 

 

 


Valuation

(£m)

 

 

 

 

 


Area

(sq ft)

 

 

 

 


Vacancy

by ERV

(%)

 

 

 

 

WAULT to

break

(years)

 

 


Gross

passing

rental

income

(£m)

 

 


Gross

passing

rental

income

(£psf)

 

 

 

 

 


ERV

(£m)

 

 

 

 

 


ERV

(£psf)

 

 

 

 


Rental

income

(£m)

 

 


Like-

for like

rental

growth*

(£m)

 

 


Like-

for like

rental

growth*

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial

20

114.72

2,428,590

6.45

3.73

8.04

3.31

9.28

3.82

4.20

0.10 

2.42 

Offices

5

39.95

251,812

18.73

3.12

2.19

8.71

3.62

14.38

1.16

0.02 

1.83 

Standard retail

6

24.62

237,792

10.35

4.60

2.65

11.13

2.36

9.92

1.21

(0.02)

(1.76)

Retail warehouses

2

14.85

145,912

0.00

1.95

1.32

9.07

1.21

8.29

0.57

(0.02)

(6.93)

Alternatives

2

12.55

112,355

0.00

6.85

1.50

13.31

1.23

10.99

0.73

(0.04)

(5.01)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio

35

206.69

3,176,461

8.59

4.00

15.70

4.94

17.70

5.57

7.87

0.04 

0.57 

 

 

Summary by Geographical Area as at 30 September 2021

 

 

 

 

 


Geographical Area

 

 

 

 


Number of

assets

 

 

 

 

 


Valuation

(£m)

 

 

 

 

 


Area

(sq ft)

 

 

 

 


Vacancy

by ERV 

(%)

 

 

 

 

WAULT to

break

(years)

 

 


Gross

passing

rental

income

(£m)

 

 


Gross

passing

rental

income

(£psf)

 

 

 

 

 


ERV

(£m)

 

 

 

 

 


ERV

(£psf)

 

 

 

 


Rental

income

(£m)

 

 


Like-

for like

rental

growth*

(£m)

 

 


Like-

for like

rental

growth*

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South West

5

37.69

517,232

12.65

2.85

2.70

5.21

3.40

6.57

1.21

(0.03)

(3.08)

Yorkshire and Humberside

7

34.10

796,951

4.51

2.59

2.43

3.05

3.10

3.89

1.41

(0.20)

(12.34)

South East

5

30.32

195,545

3.94

3.99

2.03

10.40

2.19

11.19

1.13

(0.01)

(0.41)

Eastern

5

23.85

344,339

10.23

2.29

1.84

5.33

2.06

5.98

0.91

0.21 

29.68 

West Midlands

4

23.22

458,613

3.42

3.46

1.90

4.14

1.83

4.00

0.85

(0.02)

(2.71)

Wales

2

18.55

376,138

0.00

7.58

1.25

3.31

1.43

3.82

0.64

(0.03)

(4.97)

North West

4

18.28

302,061

0.00

4.44

1.56

5.18

1.40

4.64

0.78

0.16 

25.32 

Rest of London

1

9.25

71,720

0.00

10.12

0.96

13.40

0.75

10.45

0.47

(0.02)

(4.87)

Scotland

1

7.50

85,643

51.1

1.38

0.64

7.49

1.16

13.54

0.27

(0.01)

(2.92)

East Midlands

1

3.93

28,219

0.00

5.16

0.39

13.82

0.38

13.38

0.20

(0.01)

(2.96)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio

35

206.69

3,176,461

8.59

4.00

15.70

4.94

17.70

5.57

7.87

0.04 

0.57 

 

*like-for-like rental growth is for the six months ended 30 September 2021.

Source: Knight Frank/AEW, 30 September 2021.

 

 

Individual Property Classifications

 

 

 

 

 

Market Value

 

Property

Sector

Region

Range

(£m)

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Eastpoint Business Park, Oxford

Offices

South East

 

15.0-20.0

 

2

Gresford Industrial Estate, Wrexham

Industrial

Wales

 

10.0-15.0

3

40 Queen Square, Bristol

Offices

South West

10.0-15.0

4

15-33 Union Street, Bristol

Standard retail

South West

10.0-15.0

5

Lockwood Court, Leeds

Industrial

Yorkshire and Humberside

7.5-10.0

 

6

London East Leisure Park, Dagenham

Other

Rest of London

 

7.5 -10.0

 

7

Arrow Point Retail Park, Shrewsbury

Retail warehouses

West Midlands

 

7.5-10.0

 

8

Storey's Bar Road, Peterborough

Industrial

Eastern

 

7.5-10.0

9

Sarus Court, Runcorn

Industrial

North West

7.5-10.0

10

225 Bath Street, Glasgow

Offices

Scotland

7.5-10.0

 

The Company's top ten properties listed above comprise 49.2% of the total value of the portfolio.

 

 

 

 

 

Market Value

 

Property

Sector

Region

Range

(£m)

 

 

 

 

 

11

Euroway Trading Estate, Bradford

Industrial

Yorkshire and Humberside

5.0-7.5

12

Apollo Business Park, Basildon

Industrial

Eastern

5.0-7.5

13

Brockhurst Crescent, Walsall

Industrial

West Midlands

5.0-7.5

14

Westlands Distribution Park, Weston Super Mare

Industrial

South West

5.0-7.5

15

Barnstaple Retail Park, Barnstaple

Retail warehouses

South West

5.0-7.5

16

Walkers Lane, St Helens

Industrial

North West

5.0-7.5

17

Deeside Industrial Park, Deeside

Industrial

Wales

5.0-7.5

18

Diamond Business Park, Wakefield

Industrial

Yorkshire and Humberside

5.0-7.5

19

Wella Warehouse, Basingstoke

Industrial

South East

5.0-7.5

20

Oak Park, Droitwich

Industrial

West Midlands

<5.0

21

Mangham Road, Rotherham

Industrial

Yorkshire and Humberside

<5.0

22

Pearl House, Nottingham

Standard retail

East Midlands

<5.0

23

710 Brightside Lane, Sheffield

Industrial

Yorkshire and Humberside

<5.0

24

Hall Industrial Estate, Basildon

Industrial

Eastern

<5.0

25

Cedar House, Gloucester

Offices

South West

<5.0

26

75 Above Bar Street, Southampton

Standard retail

South East

<5.0

27

Eagle Road, Redditch

Industrial

West Midlands

<5.0

28

Odeon Cinema, Southend

Other

Eastern

<5.0

29


Commercial Road, Portsmouth

Standard retail

South East

<5.0

30

Clarke Road, Milton Keynes

Industrial

South East

<5.0

31

Bridge House, Bradford

Industrial

Yorkshire and Humberside

<5.0

32


Pricebusters Building, Blackpool

Standard retail

North West

<5.0

33

Vantage Point, Hemel Hempstead

Offices

Eastern

<5.0

34

Moorside Road, Swinton

Industrial

North West

<5.0

35

11/15 Fargate, Sheffield

Standard retail

Yorkshire and Humberside

<5.0

 

 

Sector and Geographical Allocation by Market Value as at 30 September 2021

 

Sector Allocation

 

Sector

%

Standard retail

11.9

Retail warehouses

7.2

Offices

19.3

Industrial

55.5

Other

6.1

 

Geographical Allocation

 

Location

%

Rest of London

4.5

South East

14.7

South West

18.2

Eastern

11.6

West Midlands

11.2

East Midlands

1.9

North West

8.8

Yorkshire and Humberside

16.5

Wales

9.0

Scotland

3.6

 

Source: Knight Frank valuation report as at 30 September 2021.

 

 

Top Ten Tenants

 

 

Tenant

Sector

Property

Passing

Rental

Income

(£'000)

% of

Portfolio

Total

Contracted

Rental

Income

1

Plastipak UK Ltd

Industrial

Gresford Industrial Estate, Wrexham

883

5.6

2

Wyndeham Group

Industrial

Wyndeham, Peterborough

644

4.1

3

Mecca Bingo Ltd

 

Leisure

London East Leisure Park, Dagenham

625

4.0

4

Harrogate Spring Water Limited

Industrial

Lockwood Court, Leeds

603

3.8

5

Odeon Cinemas

Leisure

Odeon Cinema, Southend-on-Sea

535

3.4

6

Wilko Retail Limited

Retail

15-33 Union Street, Bristol

481

3.1

7

Advanced Supply Chain (BFD) Ltd

Industrial

Euroway Trading Estate, Bradford

467

3.0

8

HFC Prestige Manufacturing Limited

Industrial

Cranbourne House, Basingstoke

460

2.9

9

Charlies Stores

Retail

Arrow Point Retail Park, Shrewsbury

440

2.8

10

Poundland Limited

Retail

Pricebusters Building, Blackpool

414

2.6

 

The Company's top ten tenants, listed above, represent 35.4% of the total passing rental income of the portfolio.

 

Source: Knight Frank valuation report as at 30 September 2021.

 

Asset Management

The Company completed the following material asset management transactions during the period:

 

Acquisitions - Arrow Point Retail Park in Shrewsbury was acquired in May 2021 for £8.35 million and is a fully-let, purpose-built retail park prominently located on a busy commercial estate, providing a NIY of 8.7%. The second acquisition, 15-33 Union Street, Bristol, is a retail/leisure site located on a busy pedestrian thoroughfare in Bristol city centre and provides a NIY of 8.0%. Both of these assets provide opportunity for value growth in the medium to long term as well as strong and stable income streams from their tenancy profiles.

 

Disposals - Sales of Langthwaite Industrial Estate, South Kirkby for £10.84 million and Wella Warehouse, Basingstoke for £5.86 million have now been completed, with the latter completing post period end. The sales prices achieved were 31% and 35% ahead of their March 2021 valuations, and also 1.9x and 1.7x their purchase prices, respectively.

 

Arrow Point Retail Park, Shrewsbury - We have extended British Heart Foundation's unexpired term to break by moving their November 2021 break option out to December 2024 in return for four months' rent free. The majority of the rent free was used to write off rent arrears predating the Company's ownership. British Heart Foundation's lease expires in November 2028.

 

Diamond Business Park, Wakefield - We have completed a new five year ex-Act lease at £41,866 per annum/£3.75 per sq ft on Unit 14, which reflects a rent 25% above the March 2021 ERV. The tenant has provided a rent deposit equivalent to six month's rent. Six months' rent free was given as an incentive.

 

40 Queen Square, Bristol - We have completed a new five year ex-Act lease to Brewin Dolphin at £103,770 per annum/£30 per sq ft versus the previous passing rent of £22 per sq ft and the March 2021 ERV of £26 per sq ft. A 12 month rent free incentive was given. We have now also completed a lease renewal to Candide Limited until February 2025 at the same rent of £30 psf (£116,970 per annum). The previous passing rent was £22.81 per sq ft and only 1.5 months' rent free incentive was given. These lettings at £30 psf have produced an increase in the property's valuation of £1.05 million (9.9%) over the past six months.

 

Vantage Point, Hemel Hempstead - We have completed a new five year ex-Act lease (tenant break option at the end of year three) to Netronix Integration Limited at a rent of £33,683 per annum/£14.50 per sq ft, which is £3 per sq ft above ERV. Four months' rent free incentive was given, with a further two months should the tenant not exercise their tenant break option at the end of the third year.

 

Above Bar Street, Southampton - We have exchanged on a new straight five year ex-Act lease to Shoe Zone at a gross rent of £80,000 per annum, subject to approximately £40,000 landlord works. 12 months' rent free incentive was given.

 

Sarus Court, Runcorn - We have completed a ten year lease renewal with NTT United Kingdom Limited (Dimension Data) at £5.75 per sq ft (£64,066.50 per annum) versus the previous passing rent of £5.25 per sq ft. There is a tenant break option in December 2025. Five months' rent free incentive was given. The valuation of this asset has increased by £1.05 million (15.3%) over the past six months to £7.9 million.

 

Vacancy - The portfolio's overall vacancy level is 8.59%. Excluding vacancy contributed by the asset at 225 Bath Street, Glasgow, the vacancy level is 5.43%. This asset has now been exchanged for sale for alternative use redevelopment as student accommodation. As a condition of the sale agreement, full vacancy must be achieved before the sale can be completed. Completion of the sale is expected in Q4 2021 - Q1 2022. The purchaser has submitted a planning application and is awaiting confirmation on a committee date. Regarding achieving vacant possession, only one tenant remains in the building having recently exchanged on the variation of W.A. Fairhurst's lease, bringing their occupation to an end on 31 January 2022, in exchange for an £800,000 surrender premium, plus nine months' rent free from 28 February 2021 to 1 December 2021.

 

Environmental, Social and Governance ('ESG') Update

The Company has maintained its two stars Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark ('GRESB') rating for 2021 and maintained its score of 65 (GRESB Average 72). A large portion of the GRESB score relates to performance data coverage where, due to the high percentage of single-let assets with tenant procured utilities, the Company does not score as well as funds with a smaller holding of single-let assets and a higher proportion of multi-let assets where the owner is responsible for the utilities and can therefore gather the relevant data.

 

We continue to implement our plan to improve overall data coverage and data collection for all utilities through increased tenant engagement at our single-let assets and by installing automated meter readers ('AMR') across the portfolio. So far, we are in the process of installing AMRs in all of our multi-let properties. We are also in discussions with the tenants of our top 10 single-let FRI assets (in terms of floor area) regarding the installation of AMR.

 

We endeavour, where the opportunity presents itself through a lease event, to include green clauses in leases, covenanting landlord and tenant to collaborate over the environmental performance of the property.

 

We continue to assess and strengthen our reporting and alignment against the framework set out by the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures ('TCFD') with further disclosure and update to be provided in the 2022 annual report and accounts. We are pleased to report the Company has maintained its EPRA Silver rating for sBPR for ESG disclosure and transparency.

 

We have an Asset Sustainability Action Plan ('ASAP') initiative, tracking ESG initiatives across the portfolio on an asset by asset basis for targeted/relevant and specific implementation of ESG improvements. In doing so, all managed assets and units have recently been contracted to High Quality Green Tariffs, ensuring that electricity supply is from renewable sources. All void/vacant unit supplies have also been transferred to High Quality Green Tariffs.

 

All managed assets will be moved to 'Green Gas' supplies in 2022.

 

We are underway with implementing initiatives such as a new landscaping/biodiversity programme at our retail warehouse in Barnstaple, replacing the existing plants and shrubs with a greater diversity of appropriate species which in turn will attract a wider variety of insects and wildlife to the property.

 

Lease Expiry Profile

Approximately £3.48 million of the Company's current contracted income stream is subject to an expiry or break within the 12 month period commencing 1 October 2021. 12.87% (£447,984) of this income (Indigo Lighthouse Solutions and WA Fairhurst) is attributable to our office holding in Glasgow, which has exchanged for sale. A further 9.38% (£326,668) of this income relates to a property where we expect the tenants to stay, renewing their leases. 18.31% (£637,238) of this income is in the industrial sector, where we anticipate strong occupier demand, low incentives and reversionary rents. Regarding the remainder, we will proactively manage, looking to unlock capital upside, whether that be through lease regears/renewals, or through refurbishment/capex projects and new lettings.

 

Source: Knight Frank valuation report as at 30 September 2021.

 

AEW UK Investment Management LLP

16 November 2021

 

 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

 

The Company's assets consist of UK commercial property. Its principal risks are therefore related to the commercial property market in general, but also to the particular circumstances of the individual properties and the tenants within the properties.

 

The Board has overall responsibility for reviewing the effectiveness of the system of risk management and internal control which is operated by the Investment Manager. The Company's ongoing risk management process is designed to identify, evaluate and mitigate the significant risks the Company faces.

 

At least twice a year, the Board undertakes a formal risk review with the assistance of the Audit Committee, to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the Investment Manager and other service providers' risk management and internal control processes.

 

The Board has carried out a robust assessment of the principal and emerging risks facing the Company, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity.

 

An analysis of the principal risks and uncertainties is set out below. The risks below do not purport to be exhaustive as some risks are not yet known and some risks are currently not deemed material but could turn out to be material in the future. Changes to the principal risks since the date of the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 are indicated below.

 

Principal risks and their potential impact

How risk is managed

Risk assessment

REAL ESTATE RISKS

 

 

1. Property market

Any property market recession or future deterioration in the property market could, inter alia, (i) cause the Company to realise its investments at lower valuations; and (ii) delay the timings of the Company's  realisations. These risks could have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to achieve its investment objective.

 

 

The Company has investment restrictions in place to invest and manage its assets with the objective of spreading and mitigating risk.

 

 

Probability: Moderate

Impact: Moderate to High

Movement: Decrease

2. Property valuation

Property and property-related assets are inherently difficult to value due to the individual nature of each property.

 

There may be an adverse effect on the Company's profitability, the NAV and the price of Ordinary Shares in cases where properties are sold whose valuations have previously been materially overstated.

 

 

The Company uses an independent external valuer (Knight Frank LLP) to value the properties at fair value in accordance with accepted RICS appraisal and valuation standards.

 

 

Probability: Low

Impact: Low to Moderate

Movement: Decrease

3. Tenant default

Failure by tenants to fulfil their rental obligations could affect the income that the properties earn and the ability of the Company to pay dividends to its shareholders.

 

Comprehensive due diligence is undertaken on all new tenants. Tenant covenant checks are carried out on all new tenants where a default would have a significant impact.

 

Asset management team conducts ongoing monitoring and liaison with tenants to manage potential bad debt risk.

 

 

Probability: Moderate

Impact: Moderate to High

Movement: Decrease

4. Asset management initiatives

Asset management initiatives, such as refurbishment works, may prove to be more extensive, expensive and take longer than anticipated. Cost overruns may have a material adverse effect on the Company's profitability, the NAV and the share price.

 

 

Costs incurred on asset management initiatives are closely monitored against budgets and reviewed in regular presentations to the Investment Management Committee of the Investment Manager.

 

 

Probability:

Low to Moderate

Impact: Low to Moderate

Movement: No change

5. Due diligence

Due diligence may not identify all the risks and liabilities in respect of an acquisition (including any environmental, structural or operational defects) that may lead to a material adverse effect on the Company's profitability, the NAV and the price of the Company's Ordinary Shares.

 

 

The Company's due diligence relies on work (such as legal reports on title, property valuations, environmental and building surveys) outsourced to third parties who have expertise in their areas. Such third parties have professional indemnity cover in place.

 

Probability: Low

Impact: Moderate

Movement: No change

6. Fall in rental rates

Rental rates may be adversely affected by general UK economic conditions and other factors that depress rental rates, including local factors relating to particular properties/locations (such as increased competition).

 

Any fall in the rental rates for the Company's properties may have a material adverse effect on the Company's profitability, the NAV, the price of the Ordinary Shares and the Company's ability to meet interest and capital repayments on any debt facilities.

 

 

The Company builds a diversified property and tenant base with subsequent monitoring of concentration to individual occupiers (top ten tenants) and sectors (geographical and sector exposure).

 

The Investment Manager holds quarterly meetings with its Investment Strategy Committee and regularly meets the Board of Directors to assess whether any changes in the market present risks that should be addressed in the Company's strategy.

 

Probability: Moderate to High

Impact: Moderate to High

Movement: No change

BORROWING RISKS

 

 

7. Breach of borrowing covenants

The Company has entered into a term credit facility with RBSi.

 

Material adverse changes in valuations and net income may lead to breaches in the Loan to Value ('LTV') and interest cover ratio covenants.

 

 

The Company monitors the use of borrowings on an ongoing basis through weekly cash flow forecasting and quarterly risk monitoring to monitor financial covenants.

 

Probability:

Low to Moderate

Impact: Moderate to High

Movement: Decrease

8. Interest rate rises

The Company's borrowings through a term credit facility are subject to interest rate risk through changing SONIA rates. Any increases in SONIA rates may have an adverse effect on the Company's ability to pay dividends.

 

 

The Company uses interest rate caps on a significant notional value of the loan to mitigate the adverse impact of possible interest rate rises.

 

The Investment Manager and Board of Directors monitor the level of hedging and interest rate movements to ensure that the risk is managed appropriately.

 

 

Probability:

Moderate to High

Impact: Low to Moderate

Movement: No change

9. Availability and cost of debt

The term credit facility expires in October 2023. In the event that RBSi does not renew the facility, the Company may need to sell assets to repay the outstanding loan. Any increase in the financing costs of the facility on renewal would adversely impact on the Company's profitability.

 

The Company maintains a good relationship with the bank providing the term credit facility.

 

The Company monitors the projected usage and covenants of the credit facility on a quarterly basis.

 

The Company actively monitors the loan term and engages in loan extension negotiations far in advance of expiry.

 

 

Probability:

Moderate

Impact: Moderate to High

Movement: Increase

CORPORATE RISKS

 

 

10. Dependence on Investment Manager and other third party service providers

The Company has no employees and is reliant upon the performance of its Investment Manager and third party service providers. Failure by the Investment Manager and/or any service provider to carry out its obligations to the Company in accordance with the terms of its appointment could have a materially detrimental impact on the operation of the Company. The future ability of the Company to successfully pursue its investment objective and investment policy may, among other things, depend on the ability of the Investment Manager to retain its existing staff and/or to recruit individuals of similar experience and calibre.

 

 

The Investment Manager has endeavoured to ensure that the principal members of its management team are suitably incentivised. The performance of service providers in conjunction with their service level agreements is monitored via regular calls and face-to-face meetings and the use of key performance indicators, where relevant.

 

 

Probability: Moderate to High

Impact: Moderate

Movement: No change

11. Ability to meet objectives

The Company may not meet its investment objective to deliver an attractive total return to shareholders from investing predominantly in a portfolio of smaller commercial properties in the United Kingdom.

 

Poor relative total return performance may lead to an adverse reputational impact that affects the Company's ability to raise new capital.

 

 

The Company has an investment policy to achieve a balanced portfolio with a diversified asset and tenant base. The Company also has investment restrictions in place to limit exposure to potential risk factors. These factors mitigate the risk of fluctuations in returns.

 

 

Probability: Moderate to High

Impact: Moderate to High

Movement: Decrease

12. Business interruption

Cyber-attacks on the Investment Manager's and/or other service providers' IT systems, could lead to disruption, reputational damage, regulatory (including GDPR) or financial loss to the Company.

 

The Investment Manager and other service providers' staff are capable of working remotely for an extended time period. The Investment Manager's and other service providers' IT systems are protected by anti-virus software and firewalls that are updated regularly. Fire protection and access security procedures exist at all the Company's managed properties, along with the offices of its Investment Manager and other service providers.

 

Probability: Low to Moderate

Impact: Moderate

Movement: Increase

TAXATION RISKS

 

 

13. Company REIT status

The Company has a UK REIT status that provides a tax-efficient corporate structure.

 

If the Company fails to remain a REIT for UK tax purposes, its profits and gains will be subject to UK corporation tax.

 

Any change to the tax status or UK tax legislation could impact on the Company's ability to achieve its investment objectives and provide attractive returns to shareholders.

 

 

The Company monitors REIT compliance through the Investment Manager on acquisitions; the Administrator on asset and distribution levels; the Registrar and Broker on shareholdings and the use of third-party tax advisers to monitor REIT compliance requirements.

 

 

Probability: Low

Impact: Moderate to High

Movement: No change

POLITICAL/ECONOMIC RISKS

 

 

14. General political and economic risks

Political and macroeconomic events present risks to the real estate and financial markets that affect the Company and the business of its tenants. The level of uncertainty that such events bring has been highlighted in recent times, most pertinently the effects of the UK's exit from the EU in January 2021.

 

 

The Board considers the impact of political and macroeconomic events when reviewing strategy. The UK's exit from the EU is not considered to generate any risks specific to the Company and is not considered to have any material effect on the financial statements.

 

 

Probability: Moderate to High

Impact: Moderate to High

Movement: No change

15. COVID-19

The economic disruption arising from the COVID-19 virus could impact rental income receipts from tenants, the ability to access funding at competitive rates, maintain the Company's dividend policy and its adherence to the HMRC REIT regime, particularly if the UK government restrictions are in place for a prolonged period.

 

 

The Investment Manager is in close contact with tenants. The Investment Manager has put in place social distancing measures as advised by the UK government. The Investment Manager has maintained a close relationship with RBSi to ensure continuing dialogue around covenants.

 

Probability: Low to Moderate

Impact: Moderate to High

Movement: Decrease

ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS

 

16. Environmental transition risk

Failure to identify and mitigate the transition risk for climate change could lead to the Company holding stranded assets and lead to a negative impact on its reputation. Failure by the Company to meet required regulatory standards could

lead to increased stakeholder concern and negative feedback.

 

The Company has engaged specialist environmental consultants to advise the Board on compliance with regulatory requirements and adopting best practice where possible. All prospective acquisitions and asset management initiatives are influenced by environmental assessments undertaken by the Company, such as ensuring they are in conformance with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard ('MEES') Regulations. An Asset Sustainability Action Plan ('ASAP') initiative has been introduced by the Company, which tracks ESG initiatives across the portfolio on an asset-by-asset basis for targeted, relevant and specific implementation of ESG improvements.

 

 

Probability: Moderate

Impact: Moderate

Movement: Increase

17. Physical risk to properties

The risk of physical damage to properties as a result of environmental factors such as flooding and natural fires. In the long-term, changes in climate and/or weather systems may mean properties become unviable to tenants.

 

The Company obtains environmental surveys for all acquisitions, which mitigate the short-term risk of climate related damage to properties owned. The Investment Manager's asset management team perform regular site visits to the Group's properties in order to continually assess the physical risk posed to them.

 

Probability: Low

Impact: Moderate to High

Movement: Increase

 

 

Interim Management Report and Directors' Responsibility Statement

 

Interim Management Report

The important events that have occurred during the period under review, the key factors influencing the financial statements and the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year are set out above.

 

Responsibility Statement

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

 

  • the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the UK;

 

  • the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by:

 

  1. DTR 4.2.7R, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and

 

  1. DTR 4.2.8R, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the Company during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last Annual Report that could do so.

 

On behalf of the Board

 

Mark Burton

Chairman

16 November 2021

 

 

Independent Review Report to AEW UK REIT PLC 

 

Introduction

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of Financial Statements in the Interim Report and Financial Statements for the six months ended 30 September 2021 which comprises the Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income, Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity, Condensed Statement of Financial Position, Condensed Statement of Cash Flows and related notes.

 

We have read the other information contained in the Interim Report and Financial Statements and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

 

Directors' responsibilities

The Interim Report and Financial Statements is the responsibility of and has been approved by the Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the Interim Report and Financial Statements in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

 

As disclosed in note 2, the annual financial statements of the Company will be prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards. The condensed set of financial statements included in this Interim Report and Financial Statements has been prepared in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standard 34, ''Interim Financial Reporting''.

 

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of Financial Statements in the Interim Report and Financial Statements based on our review.

 

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, ''Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity'', issued by the Financial Reporting Council for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

 

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of Financial Statements in the Interim Report and Financial Statements for the six months ended 30 September 2021 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standard 34 and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

 

Use of our report

Our report has been prepared in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the Company in meeting its responsibilities in respect of half-yearly financial reporting in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority and for no other purpose. No person is entitled to rely on this report unless such a person is a person entitled to rely upon this report by virtue of and for the purpose of our terms of engagement or has been expressly authorised to do so by our prior written consent. Save as above, we do not accept responsibility for this report to any other person or for any other purpose and we hereby expressly disclaim any and all such liability.

 

BDO LLP

Chartered Accountants

London

United Kingdom

16 November 2021

 

BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (with registered number OC305127).

 

 

 

Financial Statements

 

Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the six months ended 30 September 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes

Period from 

1 April 2021 to 

30 September 

2021 

(unaudited)

£'000 

  Period from 

1 April 2020 to 

30 September

2020 

(unaudited)

£'000 

 

Year ended 

31 March 

2021 

(audited)

£'000 

Income

 

 

 

 

Rental and other income

3

8,630 

8,838 

17,491 

Property operating expenses

4

(1,760)

(1,777)

(3,754)

Impairment loss on trade receivables

 

188 

(156)

(944)

Net rental and other income

 

7,058 

6,905 

12,793 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating expenses

5

(1,179)

(971)

(2,058)

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit before fair value changes

 

5,879 

5,934 

10,735 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value of investment properties

10

16,596 

(3,328)

5,324 

Realised gains on disposal of investment properties

10

2,273 

3,670 

7,043

Realised loss on disposal of investment property held for sale

10

(829)

- 

- 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit

 

23,919 

6,276 

23,102 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance expense

6

(372)

(552)

(930)

 

 

 

 

 

Profit before tax

 

23,547 

5,724 

22,172 

Taxation

7

- 

- 

- 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit after tax

 

23,547 

5,724 

22,172 

Other comprehensive income

 

- 

- 

- 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

 

23,547 

5,724 

22,172 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share (pence) (basic and diluted)

8

14.86 

3.61 

13.98 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The notes below form an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

 

 

 

Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity

for the six months ended 30 September 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the period 1 April 2021 to

30 September 2021 (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes

 

 

 

 

Share

capital

£'000

 

 

 

Share

premium

account

£'000

 

 

Capital 

reserve and 

retained 

earnings 

£'000* 

 

 

 

 

Buyback

reserve

£'000

 

Total capital 

and reserves 

attributable to 

owners of 

the Company 

£'000 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as at 1 April 2021

 

1,587

56,578

99,179 

(265)

157,079 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

 

-

-

23,547 

- 

23,547 

Dividends paid

9

-

-

(6,337)

- 

(6,337)

Balance as at 30 September 2021

 

1,587

56,578

116,389 

(265)

174,289 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capital 

 

 

 

 

Capital 

 

and reserves 

 

 

 

Share 

reserve and 

 

attributable to 

 

 

Share

premium 

retained 

Buyback

owners of 

For the period 1 April 2020 to

 

capital

account 

earnings* 

reserve

the Company 

30 September 2020 (unaudited)

Notes

£'000

£'000 

£'000 

£'000

£'000 

Balance at 1 April 2020

 

1,587

56,578

89,698 

-

147,863 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

 

-

-

5,724 

-

5,724 

Dividends paid

9

-

-

(6,351)

-

(6,351)

Balance as at 30 September 2020

 

1,587

56,578

89,071 

-

147,236 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended 31 March 2021 (audited)

 

 

 

 

 

Notes

 

 

 

Share

capital

£'000

 

 

Share 

premium 

account 

£'000 

 

Capital 

reserve and 

retained 

earnings* 

£'000 

 

 

 

Buyback

reserve

£'000

Total capital 

and reserves 

attributable to 

owners of  

the Company 

£'000 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 April 2020

 

1,587

56,578

89,698 

- 

147,863 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

 

-

-

22,172 

- 

22,172 

Ordinary shares bought back

 

-

-

- 

(263)

(263)

Share buyback costs

 

-

-

- 

(2)

(2)

Dividends paid

9

-

-

(12,691)

- 

(12,691)

Balance as at 31 March 2021

 

1,587

56,578

99,179 

(265)

157,079 

 

* The capital reserve has arisen from the cancellation of part of the Company's share premium account and is a distributable reserve.

 

The notes below form an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Statement of Financial Position

as at 30 September 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes

 

As at 

30 September 2021 

(unaudited)

£'000 


As at 

30 September 2020 

(unaudited)

£'000 

 

As at 

31 March 2021 

(audited)

£'000 

Assets

 

 

 

 

Non-Current Assets

 

 

 

 

Investment property

10

191,336 

160,601 

169,092 

 

 

191,336 

160,601 

169,092 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

Investment property held for sale

10

12,931 

8,212 

7,251 

Receivables and prepayments

11

10,198 

9,063 

6,977 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

15,159 

13,357 

17,450 

Other financial assets held at fair value

12

112 

49 

61 

 

 

38,400 

30,681 

31,739 

Total assets

 

229,736 

191,282 

200,831 

Non-Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

13

(50,171)

(39,082)

(39,131)

Lease obligations

15

(635)

(635)

(635)

 

 

(50,806)

(39,717)

(39,766)

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

Payables and accrued expenses

14

(4,593)

(4,281)

(3,938)

Lease obligations

15

(48)

(48)

(48)

 

 

(4,641)

(4,329)

(3,986)

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

 

(55,447)

(44,046)

(43,752)

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets

 

174,289 

147,236 

157,079 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

Share capital

 

1,587 

1,587 

1,587 

Buyback reserve

 

(265)

- 

(265)

Share premium account

 

56,578 

56,578 

56,578 

Capital reserve and retained earnings

 

116,389 

89,071 

99,179 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the Company

 

174,289 

147,236 

157,079 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Asset Value per share (pence)

8

110.01 

92.73 

99.15 

EPRA Net Tangible Assets per share (pence)

8

109.94 

92.70 

99.11 

 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 16 November 2021 and were signed on its behalf by:

 

Mark Burton

Chairman

AEW UK REIT plc

Company number: 09522515

 

The notes below form an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

 

 

 

 

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

for the six months ended 30 September 2021

 

 

Period from 

1 April 2021 to 

30 September

2021 

(unaudited)

£'000 


Period from 

1 April 2020 to 

30 September 2020 

(unaudited)

£'000 

 

Year ended 

31 March

2021

(audited) 

£'000 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

Profit before tax

23,547 

5,724 

22,172 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment for:

 

 

 

Finance expenses

372 

552 

930 

(Gain)/loss from change in fair value of investment property

(16,596)

3,328 

(5,324)

Realised gains on disposal of investment property

(2,273)

(3,670)

(7,043)

Realised loss on disposal of investment property held for sale

829 

- 

- 

(Increase)/decrease in other receivables and prepayments

(3,419)

(1,573)

374 

Increase/(decrease) in other payables and accrued expenses

537 

(463)

(647)

Net cash generated from operating activities

2,997 

3,898 

10,462 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

Purchase of and additions to investment property

(19,539)

(106)

(5,983)

Disposal of investment property

10,796 

18,676 

29,049 

Costs in respect of investment property held for sale

 

(829)

 

- 

 

- 

Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities

(9,572)

18,570 

23,066 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

Share buyback cash paid

- 

- 

(263)

Share buyback costs

- 

- 

(2)

Loan drawdown/(repayment)

11,000 

(12,000)

(12,000)

Arrangement loan facility fee paid

- 

(13)

(13)

Premium for interest rate caps

- 

(63)

(63)

Finance costs

(379)

(557)

(919)

Dividends paid

(6,337)

(6,351)

(12,691)

 

 

 

 

Net cash flow generated from/(used in) financing activities

4,284 

(18,984)

(25,951)

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

(2,291)

3,484 

7,577 

Cash and cash equivalents at start of the period/year

17,450 

9,873 

9,873 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period/year

 

15,159 

13,357 

17,450 

 

 

 

 

The notes below form an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

 

 

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements

for the six months ended 30 September 2021

 

 

1. Corporate information

AEW UK REIT plc (the 'Company') is a closed ended Real Estate Investment Trust ('REIT') incorporated on 1 April 2015 and domiciled in the UK.

 

 

2. Accounting policies

 

2.1 Basis of preparation

These interim condensed unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the UK, and should be read in conjunction with the Company's last financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021. These condensed unaudited financial statements do not include all information required for a complete set of financial statements proposed in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the UK ('IFRS'). However, selected explanatory notes have been included to explain events and transactions that are significant in understanding changes in the Company's financial position and performance since the last financial statements.

 

The financial information contained in this Interim Report and Financial Statements for the six months

ended 30 September 2021 and the comparative information for the year ended 31 March 2021 does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in sections 435(1) and (2) of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The Auditor reported on those accounts. Its report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

A review of the interim financial information has been performed by the Auditor of the Company for issue on 16 November 2021.The comparative figures disclosed in the condensed unaudited financial statements and related notes have been presented for both the six month period ended 30 September 2020 and year ended 31 March 2021 and as at 30 September 2020 and 31 March 2021.

 

These condensed unaudited financial statements have been prepared under the historical-cost convention, except for investment property and interest rate derivatives that have been measured at fair value. The condensed unaudited financial statements are presented in Sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (£'000), except when otherwise indicated.

 

The Company is exempt by virtue of section 402 of the Companies Act 2006 from the requirement to prepare group financial statements. These financial statements present information solely about the Company as an individual undertaking.

 

New standards, amendments and interpretations

The Company has considered and applied the following new standards and amendments to existing standards which are required for the accounting period beginning on 1 April 2021:

 

 * Amendments to IFRS 16 Covid-19 Related Rent Concessions beyond 30 June 2021; and

 

 * Interest Rate Bench Reform - Phase 2 (Amendments to various standards: IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments', IAS 39 'Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, IFRS 7 'Financial Instruments: Disclosures', IFRS 4 'Insurance Contracts' and IFRS 16 'Leases').

 

The Company has applied the new standards and there has been no significant impact on the financial statements.

 

There are a number of new standards and amendments to existing standards which have been published and are mandatory for the Company's accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2022 or later. The Company has not early adopted any of these new or amended standards.

 

2.2 Significant accounting judgements and estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IAS 34 requires the Directors of the Company to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts recognised in the financial statements. However, uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of the asset or liability in the future.

 

i) Valuation of investment property

The Company's investment property is held at fair value as determined by the independent valuer on the basis of fair value in accordance with the internationally accepted Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors ('RICS') Appraisal and Valuation Standards.

 

2.3 Segmental information

The Board of Directors retains overall control of the Company but the Investment Manager (AEW UK Investment Management LLP) has certain authorities and fulfils the function of allocating resource to, and assessing the performance of the Company's operating segments and is therefore considered to be the Chief Operating Decision Maker ('CODM').  In accordance with IFRS 8, the Company considers each of its properties to be an individual operating segment. The CODM allocates resources, and reviews the performance of, the Company's portfolio on a property-by-property basis and discrete financial information is available for each individual property.

 

These operating segments have similar economic characteristics and, as such, are aggregated into one reporting segment, being investment in property and property-related investments in the UK.

 

2.4 Going concern

The Directors assessed the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, which takes into consideration the uncertainty surrounding the outbreak of COVID-19, as well as the Company's cash

flows, financial position, liquidity and borrowing facilities.

 

In that assessment the Directors' considered that the Company benefits from a diversified income stream from numerous tenants and sectors, which reduces risk. They also noted that:

 

* The Company's rent collection has been strong, with 99% of contracted rent collected for the March and June 2021 quarters. At least 87% of contracted rent has either been collected, or payment plans agreed, for the September 2021 quarter. Based on the contracted rent as at 30 September 2021, a reduction of 66% in total rents could be accommodated before breaching the ICR covenant in the Company's debt arrangements;

 

* Based on the property valuation at 30 September 2021, the Company had room for a £62.10 million fall in NAV before reaching the maximum LTV covenant in the Company's debt arrangements. If certain conditions are met, such as providing security, a further £20.40 million fall in NAV could be accommodated.

 

Finally, the Directors' note that the Company's cash flow can also be significantly managed through the

adjustment of dividend payments.

 

Taking this into consideration, the Directors have reviewed a number of scenarios over 12 months, including a severe but plausible downside scenario which makes the following assumptions:

 

* A reduction in rental income of 30%;

 

* No new lettings or renewals, other than those where terms have already been agreed; and

 

* A 10% fall in property valuations.

 

Given the Company's financial position and headroom on covenants, the Directors do not consider that

there are any material uncertainties in relation to the Company's ability to meets its liabilities as they fall due and continue in operation for a period of 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements. They therefore consider the going concern basis adopted in the preparation of the interim financial statements is appropriate.

 

2.5 Summary of significant accounting policies

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are consistent with those applied within the Company's Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 except for the changes as detailed in note 2.1.

 

 

3. Revenue

 

 

Period from 

1 April 2021 to 

30 September 

2021 

(unaudited)

£'000 

Period from 

1 April 2020 to 

30 September 

2020 

(unaudited)

£'000 

 

Year ended 

31 March 

2021 

(audited)

£'000 

 

 

 

 

Rental income

7,866

8,124 

15,714

Service charge income

485

674

1,535

Dilapidation income received

272

40 

197

Other property income

7

-

-

Surrender premium received

-

-

45

Total rental and other income

8,630

8,838 

17,491

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Property operating expenses

 

 

Period from 

1 April 2021 to 

30 September 

2021 

(unaudited)

£'000 

Period from 

1 April 2020 to 

30 September 

2020 

(unaudited)

£'000 

 

Year ended 

31 March 

2021 

(audited)

£'000 

 

 

 

 

Non-recoverable service charge expense

644*

601

1,166

Recoverable service charge expense

485

674

1,535

Other property expenses

631

502

1,053

 

 

 

 

Total property operating expenses

1,760

1,777

3,754

 

 

 

 

 

* Of the c. £644,000 non-recoverable service charge expenditure (30 September 2020: £601,000) c. £552,000 relates to Bank Hey Street, Blackpool (30 September 2020: £394,000) which includes costs relating to the remedial works as detailed in the Investment Manager's Report.

 

 

5. Other operating expenses

 

 

Period from 

1 April 2021 to 

30 September 

2021 

(unaudited)

£'000 

Period from 

1 April 2020 to 

30 September 

2020 

(unaudited)

£'000 

 

Year ended 

31 March 

2021 

(audited)

£'000 

 

 

 

 

Investment management fee

732

579

1,229

Operating costs

289

289

594

Audit fee

82

30

110

ISRE 2410 review (interim review fee)

28

25

25

Directors' remuneration

48

48

100

 

 

 

 

Total other operating expenses

1,179

971

2,058

 

6. Finance expense

 

 

Period from 

1 April 2021 

to 

30 September 

2021 

(unaudited)

£'000 

Period from 

1 April 2020 

to 

30 September 

2020 

(unaudited)

£'000 

 

Year 

ended 

31 March 

2021 

(audited)

£'000 

 

 

 

 

Interest payable on loan borrowings

344

438 

722

Amortisation of loan arrangement fee

41

49 

97

Commitment fee payable on loan borrowings

38

37 

95

 

423

524 

914

Change in fair value of interest rate derivatives

(51)

28 

16

Total

372

552 

930

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Taxation

 

 

Period from 

1 April 2021 to 

30 September 

2021 

(unaudited)

£'000 

Period from 

1 April 2020 to 

30 September 

2020 

(unaudited)

£'000 


Year 

ended 

31 March 

2021 

(audited)

£'000 

Analysis of charge in the period

 

 

 

Profit before tax

23,547

5,724 

22,172

 

 

 

 

Theoretical tax at UK corporation tax standard rate of 19% (30 September 2020: 19%; 31 March 2021: 19%)

 

 

4,474

1,088 

 

 

4,213

 

 

 

 

Adjusted for:

 

 

 

Exempt REIT income

(1,046)

(1,023)

(1,863)

Non taxable investment gains

(3,428)

(65)

(2,350)

Total

-

-  

-

 

 

8. Earnings per share and NAV per share

 

 

Period from 

1 April 2021 to 

30 September 

2021 

(unaudited)

Period from 

1 April 2020 to 

30 September 

2020 

 (unaudited)

 

Year ended 

31 March 

2021 

(audited)

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (£'000)

23,547

5,724 

22,172

Weighted average number of shares

158,424,746

158,774,746 

158,620,910

Earnings Per Share (basic and diluted) (pence)

14.86

3.61 

13.98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EPRA earnings per share:

Total comprehensive income (£'000)

 

23,547

5,724 

 

22,172

Adjustment to total comprehensive income:

 

 

 

Change in fair value of investment property (£'000)

 

(16,596)

3,328 

 

(5,324)

Realised gain on disposal of investment property (£'000)

 

(2,273)

(3,670)

 

(7,043)

Realised loss on disposal of investment property held for sale

 

829

-

 

-

Change in fair value of interest rate derivatives (£'000)

 

(51)

28 

 

16

Total EPRA Earnings (£'000)

5,456

5,410 

9,821

EPRA earnings per share (basic and diluted) (pence)

 

3.45

 

3.41 

 

6.19

 

 

 

 

NAV per share:

 

 

 

Net assets (£'000)

174,289

147,236 

157,079

Ordinary Shares

158,424,746

158,774,746 

158,424,746

NAV per share (pence)

110.01

92.73 

99.15

 

Earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing profit for the period attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the period.

 

 

 

Current measures

Previous measures

 

 

 

As at 30 September 2021

 

 

EPRA 

NTA 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA 

NRV 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA

NDV

 £'000

 

 

EPRA 

NAV 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA

NNNAV

£'000

IFRS NAV attributable to shareholders

174,289 

174,289 

174,289 

174,289 

174,289

Mark-to-market adjustment of derivatives

(112)

(112)

- 

(112)

-

Real estate transfer tax1

- 

13,642 

- 

- 

-

At 30 September 2021

174,177 

187,819 

174,289 

174,177 

174,289

Number of Ordinary Shares

158,424,746 

158,424,746 

158,424,746 

158,424,746 

158,424,746

NAV per share

109.94p 

118.55p 

110.01p 

109.94p 

110.01p

 

 

 

 

Current measures

Previous measures

 

 

 

As at 30 September 2020

 

 

EPRA 

NTA 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA 

NRV 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA

NDV

 £'000

 

 

EPRA 

NAV 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA

NNNAV

£'000

IFRS NAV attributable to shareholders

147,236 

147,236 

147,236

147,236 

147,236

Mark-to-market adjustment of derivatives

(49)

(49)

-

(49)

-

Real estate transfer tax and other purchasers' costs1

- 

11,309 

-

- 

-

At 30 September 2020

147,187 

158,496 

147,236

147,187 

147,236

Number of Ordinary Shares

158,774,746 

158,774,746 

158,774,746

158,774,746 

158,774,746

NAV per share

92.70p 

99.82p 

92.73p

92.70p 

92.73p

 

Earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing profit for the period attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the period.

 

1 EPRA Net Tangible Assets ('EPRA NTA') and EPRA Net Disposal Value ('EPRA NDV') are calculated using property values in line with IFRS, where values are net of Real Estate Transfer Tax ('RETT') and other purchasers' costs. RETT and other purchasers' costs are added back when calculating EPRA Net Reinstatement Value ('EPRA NRV') and have been estimated at 6.6% of the net valuation provided by Knight Frank.

 

 

Current measures

Previous measures

 

 

 

As at 31 March 2021

 

 

EPRA 

NTA 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA 

NRV 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA

NDV

 £'000

 

 

EPRA 

NAV 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA

NNNAV

£'000

IFRS NAV attributable to shareholders

157,079  

157,079 

157,079

157,079 

157,079

Mark-to-market adjustment of derivatives

(61)

(61)

-

(61)

-

Real estate transfer tax and other purchasers' costs1

- 

11,814 

-

- 

-

At 31 March 2021

157,018 

168,832 

157,079

157,018 

157,079

Number of Ordinary Shares

158,424,746 

158,424,746 

158,424,746

158,424,746 

158,424,746

NAV Per share

99.11p 

106.57p 

99.15p

99.11p 

99.15p

 

1 EPRA NTA and EPRA NDV are calculated using property values in line with IFRS, where values are net of RETT and other purchasers' costs. RETT and other purchasers' costs are added back when calculating EPRA NRV and have been estimated at 6.6% of the net valuation provided by Knight Frank.

 

9. Dividends paid

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid during the period

Period from 

1 April 2021 to 

30 September 

2021 

£'000 

Period from 

1 April 2020 to 

30 September 

2020 

£'000 

 

Year ended

31 March

2021

£'000

 

 

 

 

Represents two/two/four interim dividends of 2.00 pps each

 

6,337

6,351 

 

12,691

 

 

 

 

 

Period from 

Period from 

 

 

1 April 2021 to 

1 April 2020 to 

Year ended

 

30 September 

30 September 

31 March

 

2021 

2020 

2021

Dividends relating to the period

£'000 

£'000 

£'000

 

 

 

 

Represents two/two/four interim dividends of 2.00 pps each

 

6,337

6,351 

 

12,684

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid relate to Ordinary Shares.

 

 

 

10. Investments

 

10.a) Investment property

 

 

Period from 1 April 2021 to

30 September 2021 (unaudited)

 

Investment 

properties 

freehold 

£'000 

Investment 

properties 

leasehold 

£'000 

Total 

£'000 

Period from 

1 April 2020 

to 30 September 

2020 

(unaudited)

Total 

£'000 

 

Year ended 

31 March 

2021 

(audited)

Total 

£'000 

UK Investment property

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at beginning of period

160,750

18,250

179,000

189,300

189,300

Purchases and capital expenditure in the period

 

8,948

 

10,588

 

19,536

 

106

 

5,983

Disposals in the period

(8,208)

-

(8,208)

(15,006)

(22,006)

Revaluation of investment property

 

15,060

 

1,302

 

16,362

 

(3,045)

 

5,723

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valuation provided by Knight Frank

 

176,550

 

30,140

 

206,690

 

171,355

 

179,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment to carrying value for lease incentive debtor

 

 

 

 

(3,106)

 

 

(3,225)

 

 

(3,340)

Adjustment for lease obligations*

 

 

 

683

 

683

 

683

Total Investment property

 

 

 

204,267

 

168,813

 

176,343

 

 

 

 

 

 

Classified as:

 

 

 

 

 

Investment property held for sale**

 

 

 

12,931

 

8,212

 

7,251

Investment property

 

 

191,336

160,601

169,092

 

 

 

204,267

168,813

176,343

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value of investment property

 

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value before adjustments for lease incentives

 

 

 

 

16,362

 

 

(3,045)

 

 

5,723

Adjustment for movement in the period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

in value of lease incentive debtor

 

 

 

234

 

(283)

 

(399)

 

 

 

16,596

(3,328)

5,324

Gains realised on disposal of investment property

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from disposals of investment property during the period

 

 

 

 

 

10,481

 

 

 

18,676

 

 

 

29,049

Fair value at beginning of period

 

 

 

(8,208)

 

(15,006)

 

(22,006)

Gains realised on disposal of investment property

 

 

 

 

2,273

 

 

3,670

 

 

7,043

Realised loss on disposal of investment property held for sale

 

 

 

 

829

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

* Adjustment in respect of minimum payment under head leases separately included as a liability within the Condensed Statement of Financial Position.

 

**225 Bath Street, Glasgow and Wella Warehouse, Basingstoke, have been classified as held-for-sale as at 30 September 2021. Contracts to sell 225 Bath Street were exchanged in October 2020 and its expected that the transaction will be completed within the next 12 months. Contracts to sell Wella Warehouse were exchanged in August 2021, with the transaction completed post period-end, in October 2021.

 

 

Valuation of investment property

Valuation of investment property is performed by Knight Frank LLP, an accredited external valuer with recognised and relevant professional qualifications and recent experience of the location and category of the investment property being valued.

 

The valuation of the Company's investment property at fair value is determined by the external valuer on the basis of market value in accordance with the internationally accepted RICS Valuation - Professional Standards (incorporating the International Valuation Standards).

 

The determination of the fair value is based upon the income capitalisation approach. This approach involves applying capitalisation yields to current and future rental streams net of income voids arising from vacancies or rent-free periods and associated running costs. These capitalisation yields and estimated rental values are based on comparable property and leasing transactions in the market using the valuer's professional judgement and market observation. Other factors taken into account in the valuations include the tenure of the property, tenancy details, capital values of fixtures and fittings, environmental matter and the overall repair and condition of the property.

 

 

10.b) Fair value measurement hierarchy

The following table provides the fair value measurement hierarchy for non-current assets:

 

 

 

 

 


Assets measured at fair value


Quoted prices

in active

markets

(Level 1)

£'000

 

Significant

observable

inputs

(Level 2)

£'000

 

Significant

unobservable

inputs

(Level 3)

£'000

 

 

 

 

Total

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

30 September 2021

 

 

 

 

Investment property

-

-

204,267

204,267

 

 

 

 

 

30 September 2020

 

 

 

 

Investment property

-

-

168,813

168,813

 

 

 

 

 

31 March 2021

 

 

 

 

Investment property

-

-

176,343

176,343

 

 

Explanation of the fair value hierarchy:

 

Level 1 - Quoted prices for an identical instrument in active markets;

 

Level 2 - Prices of recent transactions for identical instruments and valuation techniques using observable market data; and

 

Level 3 - Valuation techniques using non-observable data.

 

There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during either period, nor have there been any transfers in or out of Level 3.

 

Sensitivity analysis to significant changes in unobservable inputs within Level 3 of the hierarchy

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy of the entity's portfolios of investment properties are:

 

  1. ERV

 

2)  Equivalent yield

 

Increases/(decreases) in the ERV (per sq ft per annum) in isolation would result in a higher/(lower) fair value measurement. Increases/(decreases) in the discount rate/ yield in isolation would result in a lower/(higher) fair value measurement.

 

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement, categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy of the portfolio of investment property are:

 

 

 

Class

 

Fair value

£'000

 

Valuation

technique

Significant

unobservable

inputs

 

 

Range

 

 

 

 

 

30 September 2021

 

 

 

 

Investment property*

 

206,690

Income capitalisation

ERV

Equivalent yield

£0.50-£75.00

5.00%-10.89%

 

 

 

 

 

30 September 2020

 

 

 

 

Investment property*

 

171,355

Income capitalisation

ERV

Equivalent yield

£0.50-£95.00

6.23%-10.48%

 

 

 

 

 

31 March 2021

 

 

 

 

Investment property*

 

179,000

Income capitalisation

ERV

Equivalent yield

£0.50-£75.00

5.76%-10.37%

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Fair value per Knight Frank LLP.

 

Where possible, sensitivity of the fair values of Level 3 assets are tested to changes in unobservable inputs to reasonable alternatives.

 

Gains and losses recorded in profit or loss for recurring fair value measurements categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are attributable to changes in unrealised gains or losses relating to investment property and investments held at the end of the reporting period.

 

With regards to both investment property and investments, gains and losses for recurring fair value measurements categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, prior to adjustment for rent free debtor and rent guarantee debtor, where applicable, are recorded in profit and loss.

 

The tables below set out a sensitivity analysis for each of the key sources of estimation uncertainty with the resulting increase/(decrease) in the fair value of investment property.

 

 

Fair value

Change in ERV

Change in equivalent yield

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sensitivity Analysis

 

+5%

-5%

+5%

-5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 September 2021

206,690

216,848

197,385

195,342

213,527

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 September 2020

171,355

176,434

161,957

163,582

179,481

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 March 2021

179,000

183,818

168,394

170,487

187,847

 

 

 

Fair value

Change in ERV

Change in equivalent yield

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sensitivity Analysis

 

+10%

-10%

+10%

-10%

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 September 2021

206,690

228,192

188,975

186,439

222,802

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 September 2020

171,355

183,940

154,933

156,710

188,744

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 March 2021

179,000

191,699

160,864

162,986

197,965

 

 

 

Fair value

Change in ERV

Change in equivalent yield

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sensitivity Analysis

 

+15%

-15%

+15%

-15%

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 September 2021

206,690

240,861

181,295

177,574

232,104

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 September 2020

171,355

191,497

147,893

150,433

199,087

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 March 2021

179,000

199,642

153,345

156,136

209,264

 

 

 

 

11. Receivables and prepayments

 

 

30 September 

2021 

(unaudited)

£'000 

30 September 

2020 

(unaudited)

£'000 

31 March 

2021 

(audited)

£'000 

Receivables

 

 

 

Rent debtor

3,566

3,469 

3,252

Allowance for expected credit losses

(607)

(207)

(995)

Rent agent float account

2,212

2,056 

724

Other receivables

1,593

368 

627

Dilapidations receivables

-

69 

-

 

6,764

5,755 

3,608

 

 

 

 

Lease incentive debtor

3,106

3,225

3,340

 

9,870

8,980

6,948

 

 

 

 

Property related prepayments

296

29

4

Other prepayments

32

54

25

 

328

83

29

Total

10,198

9,063

6,977

 

The aged debtor analysis of receivables as follows:

 

30 September

2021

£'000

30 September

2020

£'000

31 March

2021

£'000

 

 

 

 

Less than three months due

6,251

4,206

3,416

Between three and six months due

513

1,549

192

 

 

 

 

Total

6,764

5,755

3,608

 

 

Expected credit losses have been assessed on receivables balances on an individual tenant-by-tenant basis. The risk of credit loss applied to each tenant is assessed based on information including, but not limited to: external credit ratings; financial statements; press information; previous experience of losses or late payment; discussions with the property manager and the tenant.

 

This assessment identified a number of receivables balances due from tenants known to be in financial difficulty or having already entered into a Company Voluntary Arrangement ('CVA') or administration. In these instances, a provision against the full balance of the receivable has been applied.

 

The assessment also identified receivables balances subject to dispute by tenants who are financially stable but unwilling to pay. The recoverability of these balances was subject to a decision by the Court, and as such, an assessment of the probability of a positive decision was made in reassessing the expected cash flows in relation to these balances and other receivables. Post period-end, these balances were recovered in full..

 

The below table presents the exposure to these classes of identified credit risk and the associated provision made against the receivables balances:

 

 

 


 

Receivables

£'000


 

 

Rate

%


Provision

30 September

2021

£'000


Provision

30 September

2020

£'000


Provision

31 March

2021

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identified financial difficulties

177

100

177

207

415

Subject to Court ruling

717

60

430

-

580

No Identified financial difficulties

9,583

-

-

-

-

Total

10,477

 

607

207

995

 

 

12. Interest rate derivatives

 

 

30 September

2021 

(unaudited)

£'000 

30 September 

2020 

(unaudited)

£'000 

31 March 

2021 

(audited)

£'000 

 

 

 

 

At the beginning of the period

61

14 

14

Changes in fair value of interest rate derivatives

51

(28)

(16)

Interest rate cap premium paid

-

63

63

 

 

 

 

At the end of the period

112

49 

61

 

The Company is protected from a significant rise in interest rates as it currently has interest rate caps in effect which cap the interest rate at 1.00% on a notional value of £51.50 million. As a result, the loan was 102% hedged as at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: 130%).

 

Fair Value hierarchy

The following table provides the fair value measurement hierarchy for interest rate derivatives:

 

 

Assets measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

Valuation date

 

Quoted prices 

in active 

markets 

(Level 1)

£'000 

 

Significant 

observable 

input 

(Level 2)

£'000 

 

Significant 

unobservable 

inputs 

(Level 3)

£'000 

 

 

 

 

Total

£'000

30 September 2021

- 

112

- 

112

30 September 2020

- 

49

- 

49

31 March 2021

- 

61

- 

61

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fair value of these contracts is recorded in the Condensed Statement of Financial Position as at the period end.

 

There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the period, nor have there been any transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 during the period.

 

 

13. Interest bearing loans and borrowings

 

 

Bank borrowings drawn

30 September 

2021 

(unaudited)

£'000 

30 September

2020 

(unaudited)

£'000 

31 March 

2021 

(audited)

£'000 

At the beginning of the period

39,500

51,500 

51,500

Bank borrowings drawn in the period

11,000

- 

-

Bank borrowings repaid in the period

-

(12,000)

(12,000)

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

50,500

39,500 

39,500

 

 

 

 

Unamortised loan arrangement fees

(329)

(418)

(369)

At the end of the period

50,171

39,082 

39,131

 

 

 

 

Repayable between two and five years

50,500

39,500 

39,500

Bank borrowings available but undrawn in the period

 

9,500

20,500 

 

20,500

 

 

 

 

Total facility available

60,000

60,000 

60,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company has a £60.00 million (31 March 2021: £60.00 million) credit facility with RBSi of which £50.50 million (31 March 2021: £39.50 million) has been utilised as at 30 September 2021.

 

The Company has a target gearing of 35% Loan to NAV, which is the maximum gearing on drawdown under the terms of the facility. As at 30 September 2021, the Company's gearing was 28.97% Loan to NAV (31 March 2021: 25.15%).

 

Borrowing costs associated with the credit facility are shown as finance costs in note 6 to these financial statements.

 

14. Payables and accrued expenses

 

 

30

September

2021

(unaudited)

£'000


30 September

2020

(unaudited)

£'000

31

March

2021

(audited)

£'000

 

 

 

 

Deferred income

2,990

2,835

2,567

Accruals

835

991

783

Other creditors

768

455

588

 

 

 

 

Total

4,593

4,281

3,938

 

 

 

 

 

 

15. Lease obligation as lessee

 

Leases as lessee are capitalised at the lease's commencement at the present value of the minimum lease payments. The present value of the corresponding rental obligations are included as liabilities.

 

The following table analyses the present value of the minimum lease payments under non-cancellable finance leases:

 

 

30 September 

2021 

(unaudited)

£'000 

30 September 

2020 

(unaudited)

£'000 

31 March 

2021 

(audited)

£'000 

Current

48

48 

48

Non Current

635

635 

635

 

 

 

 

Lease liabilities included in the Statement of Financial Position at 30 September 2021

 

683

 

683 

 

683

 

 

16. Issued share capital

 

There was no change to the issued share capital during the period. The number of ordinary shares allotted, called up and fully paid remains 158,774,746 of £0.01 each, of which 350,000 ordinary shares are held in treasury.

 

17. Transactions with related parties

 

As defined by IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures, parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial or operational decisions.

 

For the six months ended 30 September 2021, the Directors of the Company are considered to be the key management personnel. Directors' remuneration is disclosed in note 5.

 

The Company is party to an Investment Management Agreement with the Investment Manager, pursuant to which the Company has appointed the Investment Manager to provide investment management services relating to the respective assets on a day-to-day basis in accordance with their respective investment objectives and policies, subject to the overall supervision and direction of the Board of Directors.

 

Under the Investment Management Agreement, the Investment Manager receives a quarterly management fee which is calculated and accrued monthly at a rate equivalent to 0.9% per annum of NAV (excluding uninvested proceeds from fundraising).

 

During the period from 1 April 2021 to 30 September 2021, the Company incurred £732,204 (six months ended 30 September 2020: £578,821) of investment management fees and expenses of which £362,931 was outstanding at 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: £315,825).

 

 

18. Events after reporting date

 

Dividend

On 21 October 2021, the Board declared its second interim dividend of 2.00 pps in respect of the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 September 2021. The dividend payment will be made on 19 November 2021 to shareholders on the register as at 29 October 2021. The ex-dividend date was 28 October 2021.

 

Property Sales

The Company completed the sale of Wella Warehouse on 15 October 2021 for gross proceeds of £5.86 million.

 

Property Acquisition

On 5 November 2021, the Company acquired Central Six Retail Park in Coventry for a purchase price of £16.41 million.

 

 

 

EPRA Performance Measures

 

Detailed below is a summary table showing the EPRA performance measures of the Company.

 

All EPRA performance measures have been calculated in line with EPRA Best Practices Recommendations Guidelines which can be found at www.epra.com.

 

MEASURE AND DEFINITION

PURPOSE

PERFORMANCE

 

 

 

1. EPRA Earnings

Earnings from operational activities.

 

A key measure of a company's underlying operating results and an indication of the extent to which current dividend payments are supported by earnings.

 

 

£5.46 million/3.45 pps

EPRA earnings for the six month period ended 30 September 2021 (six month period ended 30 September 2020: £5.41 million/3.41 pps)

2. EPRA Net Tangible Assets ('NTA')

Assumes that entities buy and sell assets, thereby crystallising certain levels of unavoidable deferred tax.

 

The EPRA NAV set of metrics make adjustments to the NAV per the IFRS financial statements to provide stakeholders with the most relevant information on the fair value of the assets and liabilities of a real estate investment company, under different scenarios.

 

 

£174.18 million/109.94 pps EPRA NTA as at 30 September 2021 (At 31 March 2021: £157.02 million/ 99.11 pps)

3. EPRA Net Reinstatement Value ('NRV')

Assumes that entities never sell assets and aims to represent the value required to rebuild the entity.

 

 

See above

 

£187.82 million/118.55 pps EPRA NRV as at 30 September 2021

(At 31 March 2021: £168.83 million/106.57 pps)

4. EPRA Net Disposal Value ('NDV')

Represents the shareholders' value under a disposal scenario, where deferred tax, financial instruments and certain other adjustments are calculated to the full extent of their liability, net of any resulting tax.

 

 

See above

 

 174.29 million/110.01 pps EPRA NDV as at 30 September 2021 (As at 31 March 2021: £157.08 million/99.15pps)

5. EPRA Net Initial Yield ('NIY)

Annualised rental income based on the cash rents passing at the balance sheet date, less non-recoverable property operating expenses, divided by the market value of the property, increased with (estimated) purchasers' costs.

 

 

 A comparable measure for portfolio valuations. This measure should make it easier for investors to judge themselves, how the valuation of portfolio X compares with portfolio Y.

 

6.69%

EPRA NIY

as at 30 September 2021

(At 31 March 2021: 7.37%)

6. EPRA 'Topped-Up' NIY

This measure incorporates an adjustment to the EPRA NIY in respect of the expiration of rent-free periods (or other unexpired lease incentives such as discounted rent periods and step rents).

 

A comparable measure for portfolio valuations. This measure should make it easier for investors to judge themselves, how the valuation of portfolio X compares with portfolio Y.

 

 

7.07%

EPRA 'Topped-Up' NIY

as at 30 September 2021

(At 31 March 2021: 8.12%)

7. EPRA Vacancy

Estimated Market Rental Value ('EMRV') of vacant space divided by ERV of the whole portfolio.

 

A 'pure' (%) measure of investment property space that is vacant, based on ERV.

 

8.59%/5.43% excluding vacancy rate contributed by Glasgow* EPRA vacancy as at 30 September 2021 (At 31 March 2021: 8.96%/5.58% excluding vacancy contributed by Glasgow)

 

8. EPRA Cost Ratio

Administrative and operating costs (including and excluding costs of direct vacancy) divided by gross rental income.

 

 

A key measure to enable meaningful measurement of the changes in a company's operating costs.

 

28.53% EPRA Cost Ratio (including direct vacancy costs) as at 30 September 2021 (At 30 September 2020: 27.15%)

 

14.80% EPRA Cost ratio (excluding direct vacancy costs) as at 30 September 2021 (At 30 September 2020: 16.70%)

 

9. EPRA Capital Expenditure

Property which has been held at both the current and comparative balance sheet dates for which there has been no significant development.

 

 

A measure used to illustrate change in comparable capital values.

 

£19.54 million for the period ended 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: £5.98 million)

10. EPRA like-for-like Rental Growth

Net income generated by assets which were held by the Company throughout both the current and comparable periods which there has been no significant development which materially impacts upon income.

 

A measure used to illustrate change in comparable income values.

 

£0.04 million/0.57% for the period ended 30 September 2021 (31 March 2021: (£1.08 million)/(6.80%))

 

* Glasgow has exchanged to be sold with the condition of vacant possession.

 

Calculation of EPRA NTA, EPRA NRV and EPRA NDV

In October 2019, EPRA issued new Best Practice Recommendations for financial guidelines on its definitions of NAV measures: EPRA NTA, EPRA NRV and EPRA NDV.

 

The Company considers EPRA NTA to be the most relevant NAV measure for the Company and we are now reporting this as our primary NAV measure, replacing our previously reported EPRA NAV and EPRA NNNAV per share metrics. EPRA NTA excludes the cumulative fair value adjustments for debt-related derivatives which are unlikely to be realised.

 

 

Current measures

Previous measures

 

 

 

As at 30 September 2021

 

 

EPRA 

NTA 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA 

NRV 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA

NDV

 £'000

 

 

EPRA 

NAV 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA

NNNAV

£'000

IFRS NAV attributable to shareholders

 174,289 

174,289 

174,289 

174,289 

174,289

Mark-to-market adjustment of derivatives

(112)

(112)

- 

(112)

-

Real estate transfer tax and other purchasers' costs1

- 

13,642 

- 

- 

-

At 30 September 2021

174,177 

187,819 

174,289 

174,177 

174,289

Number of Ordinary Shares

158,424,746 

158,424,746 

158,424,746 

158,424,746 

158,424,746

NAV per share

109.94p 

118.55p 

110.01p 

109.94p 

110.01p

 

 

 

Current measures

Previous measures

 

 

 

As at 30 September 2020

 

 

EPRA 

NTA 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA 

NRV 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA

NDV

 £'000

 

 

EPRA 

NAV 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA

NNNAV

£'000

IFRS NAV attributable to shareholders

147,236 

147,236 

147,236

147,236 

147,236

Mark-to-market adjustment of derivatives

(49)

(49)

-

(49)

-

Real estate transfer tax and other purchasers' costs1

- 

11,309 

-

- 

-

At 30 September 2020

147,187 

158,496 

147,236

147,187 

147,236

Number of Ordinary Shares

158,774,746 

158,774,746 

158,774,746

158,774,746 

158,774,746

NAV per share

92.70p 

99.82p 

92.73p

92.70p 

92.73p

 

1 EPRA NTA and EPRA NDV are calculated using property values in line with IFRS, where values are net of Real Estate Transfer Tax ('RETT') and other purchasers' costs. RETT and other purchasers' costs are added back when calculating EPRA NRV and have been estimated at 6.6% of the net valuation provided by Knight Frank.

 

 

 

Current measures

Previous measures

 

 

 

As at 31 March 2021

 

 

EPRA 

NTA 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA 

NRV 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA

NDV

 £'000

 

 

EPRA 

NAV 

£'000 

 

 

EPRA

NNNAV

£'000

IFRS NAV attributable to shareholders

157,079 

157,079 

157,079

157,079 

157,079

Mark-to-market adjustment of derivatives

(61)

(61)

-

(61)

-

Real estate transfer tax and other purchasers' costs1

- 

11,814 

-

- 

-

At 31 March 2021

157,018 

168,832 

157,079

157,018 

157,079

Number of Ordinary Shares

158,424,746 

158,424,746 

158,424,746

158,424,746 

158,424,746

NAV per share

99.11p 

106.57p 

99.15p

99.11p 

99.15p

 

1 EPRA NTA and EPRA NDV are calculated using property values in line with IFRS, where values are net of RETT and other purchasers' costs. RETT and other purchasers' costs are added back when calculating EPRA NRV and have been estimated at 6.6% of the net valuation provided by Knight Frank.

 

Calculation of EPRA NIY and 'topped up' NIY

 

 

 30 

September 

2021 

£'000 

30

September

2020

£'000

31

March

2021

£'000

 

 

 

 

Investment property - wholly-owned

206,690

171,355

179,000

Allowance for estimated purchasers' costs at 6.6%

 

13,642

 

11,652

 

11,814

 

 

 

 

Grossed-up completed property portfolio valuation (B)

220,332

183,007

190,814

 

 

 

 

Annualised cash passing rental income

15,699

14,144

15,051

Property outgoings

(958)

(955)

(993)

 

 

 

 

Annualised net rents (A)

14,741

13,189

14,058

 

 

 

 

Add: notional rent expiration of rent free periods or other lease incentives*

 

846

 

2,169

 

1,439

 

 

 

 

'Topped-up' net annualised rent (C)

15,587

15,358

15,497

 

 

 

 

EPRA NIY (A/B)

6.69%

7.21%

7.37%

 

 

 

 

EPRA 'topped-up' NIY (C/B)

7.07%

8.39%

8.12%

 

 

 

 

 

* Rent-free periods expire by June 2022.

 

EPRA NIY basis of calculation

 

EPRA NIY is calculated as the annualised net rent, divided by the gross value of the completed property portfolio.

 

The valuation of grossed up completed property portfolio is determined by our external valuers as at 30 September 2021, plus an allowance for estimated purchasers' costs. Estimated purchasers' costs are determined by the relevant stamp duty liability, plus an estimate by our valuers of agent and legal fees on notional acquisition. The net rent deduction allowed for property outgoings is based on our valuers' assumptions on future recurring non-recoverable revenue expenditure.

 

In calculating the EPRA 'topped-up' NIY, the annualised net rent is increased by the total contracted rent from expiry of rent-free periods and future contracted rental uplifts.

 

 

Calculation of EPRA Vacancy Rate

 

 

 

30 September

2021

£'000

 

30 September

2020

£'000

 

31 March

2021

£'000

Annualised potential rental value of vacant premises (A)

 

1,521

 

1,330

 

1,482

Annualised potential rental value for the completed property portfolio (B)

 

17,704

 

16,211

 

16,538

 

 

 

 

EPRA Vacancy Rate (A/B)

8.59%

8.21%

8.96%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculation of EPRA Cost Ratios

 

 

 

 

30 September   

30 September

31 March

 

2021   

2020

2021

 

£'000   

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

Administrative/operating expense per IFRS income statement

 

2,267

 

2,230

 

5,221

Less: ground rent costs

(33)

(33)

(66)

EPRA costs (including direct vacancy costs) (A)

2,234

2,197

5,155

 

 

 

 

Direct vacancy costs

(1,075)

(846)

(1,622)

 

 

 

 

EPRA costs (excluding direct vacancy costs) (B)

 

1,159

 

1,351

 

3,533

 

 

 

 

Gross rental income less ground rent costs - per IFRS

 

7,833

 

8,091

 

15,648

Gross rental income less ground rent costs (C)

 

7,833

 

8,091

 

15.648

 

 

 

 

EPRA Cost Ratio (including direct vacancy costs) (A/C)

 

28.53%

 

27.15%

 

32.94%

EPRA Cost Ratio (excluding direct vacancy costs) (B/C)

 

14.80%

 

16.70%

 

22.58%

 

The Company has not capitalised any overhead or operating expenses in the accounting period disclosed above.

 

Only costs directly associated with the purchase or construction of properties as well as all subsequent value-enhancing capital expenditure are capitalised.

 

Like-for-like rental growth

The table below sets out the like-for-like rental growth of the portfolio, by sector, in accordance with EPRA Best Practices Recommendations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sector

 

 




Rental income from

like-for-like

portfolio for

period 1 April 2021 to

30 September

2021

£m

 

 



Rental income from

like-for-like

portfolio for

period 1 October 2020

to 31

March

2021

£m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Like-for-like rental growth

£m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like-for-like

rental growth

%

Industrial

4.20

4.10

0.10 

2.42 

Office

1.15

1.13

0.02 

1.83 

Alternatives

0.73

0.77

(0.04)

(5.01)

Standard retail

1.02

1.04

(0.02)

(1.76)

Retail warehouses

0.29

0.31

(0.02)

(6.93)

Total

7.39

7.35

0.04 

0.57 

 

The like-for-like rental growth is based on changes in rental income for those properties which have been held for the duration of both the current and comparative reporting. This represents a portfolio valuation, as assessed by the valuer of £187.50 million (31 March 2021: £179.00 million).

 

Capital Expenditure

The table below sets out the capital expenditure of the portfolio in accordance with EPRA Best Practice Recommendations.

 

 

Sector

30 September

2021

£'000

30 September

2020

£'000

 

31 March 2021

£'000

Acquisitions

19,468

-

5,778

Investment properties - no incremental lettable space

68

106

205

Total purchases and capital expenditure

19,536

106

5,983

 

 

Company Information

 

Shareholder Enquiries

The register for the Ordinary Shares is maintained by Link Group. In the event of queries regarding your holding, please contact the Registrar on +44 (0)371 664 0391 or email: enquiries@linkgroup.co.uk

 

Changes of name and/or address must be notified in writing to the Registrar, at the address shown below. You can check your shareholding and find practical help on transferring shares or updating your details at www.signalshares.com. Shareholders eligible to receive dividend payments gross of tax may also download declaration forms from that website.

 

Share Information

Ordinary £0.01 Shares    158,424,746

(excluding treasury shares)

SEDOL Number    BWD2415

ISIN Number     GB00BWD24154

Ticker/TIDM    AEWU

 

The Company's Ordinary Shares are traded on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.

 

Annual and Interim Reports

Copies of the Annual and Interim Reports are available from the Company's website: www.aewukreit.com.

 

Provisional Financial Calendar

 

31 March 2022

Year end

June 2022

Announcement of annual results

September 2022

Annual General Meeting

30 September 2022

Half-year end

November 2022

Announcement of interim results

 

 

Dividends

The following table summarises the dividends declared in relation to the period:

 

£

Interim dividend for the period 1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021 (payment made on 31 August 2021)

3,168,495

Interim dividend for the period 1 July 2021 to 30 September 2021 (payment to be made on 19 November 2021)

3,168,495

Total

6,336,990

 

 

Independent Directors

Mark Burton (Non-executive Chairman)

Bimaljit ('Bim') Sandhu (Non-executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee)

Katrina Hart (Non-executive Director)

 

Registered Office

6th Floor

65 Gresham Street

London

EC2V 7NQ

 

Investment Manager and AIFM

AEW UK Investment Management LLP

33 Jermyn Street

London

SW1Y 6DN

 

Tel: 020 7016 4880

Website: www.aewuk.co.uk

 

Property Manager

Mapp

180 Great Portland Street

London

W1W 5QZ

 

Corporate Broker

Liberum

Ropemaker Place

25 Ropemaker Street

London

EC2Y 9LY

 

Legal Adviser

Gowling WLG (UK) LLP

4 More London Riverside

London

SE1 2AU

 

Depositary

Langham Hall UK LLP

8th Floor

1 Fleet Place

London

EC4M 7RA

 

Administrator

Link Alternative Fund Administrators Limited

Beaufort House

51 New North Road

Exeter

EX4 4EP

 

Company Secretary

Link Company Matters Limited

6th Floor

65 Gresham Street

London

EC2V 7NQ

 

Registrar

Link Group

10th Floor

Central Square

28 Wellington Street

Leeds

LS1 4DL

 

Auditor

BDO LLP

55 Baker Street

London

W1U 7EU

 

Valuer

Knight Frank LLP

55 Baker Street

London

W1U 8AN

 

 

Frequency of NAV publication:

The Company's NAV is released to the London Stock Exchange on a quarterly basis and is published on the Company's website.

 

National Storage Mechanism

A copy of the Interim Report will be submitted shortly to the National Storage Mechanism ('NSM') and will be available for inspection at https://www.fca.org.uk/markets/primary-markets/regulatory-disclosures/national-storage-mechanism.

 

 

LEI: 21380073LDXHV2LP5K50

 



ISIN: GB00BWD24154
Category Code: IR
TIDM: AEWU
LEI Code: 21380073LDXHV2LP5K50
OAM Categories: 1.2. Half yearly financial reports and audit reports/limited reviews
Sequence No.: 126970
EQS News ID: 1249566

 
End of Announcement EQS News Service

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