Dear all,

Reits are clearly not in our investors’ favour as evidenced by the 10.2% fall in FTSE Reit index (FSTAS8670.IN), which closed 786 on 29 Jun 2018, after hitting a multi-year high of 875 in Jan 2018.

Most analysts or strategists will recommend reits with distribution per unit (“DPU”) growth, so as to combat the rise in interest rates. EC World Reit (“EC”) may be one with DPU growth.

I have the privilege of meeting Mr Goh Toh Sim, Executive Director & CEO of EC and Mr Li Jinbo, Head of Investment of EC (“Management”) for a 1-1 discussion over EC’s operations and prospects. Below are my key takeaways.

 

Description

Based on EC’s press release, it is listed on SGX on 28 July 2016. With its initial portfolio of six quality properties located in one of the largest e-commerce clusters in the Yangtze River Delta, EC World REIT offers investors unique exposure to the logistics and e-commerce sectors in Hangzhou.

EC’s investment strategy is to invest principally, directly or indirectly, in a diversified portfolio of income-producing real estate which is used primarily for e-commerce, supply-chain management and logistics purposes, as well as real estate-related assets, with an initial geographical focus on the PRC. For more information, please visit EC website HERE.

EC is managed by EC World Asset Management Pte. Ltd., which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Sponsor – Forchn Holdings Group Co., Ltd (“Forchn”). Established in 1992 and headquartered in Shanghai, the Sponsor is a diversified enterprise group specialising in the real estate sector, industrial sector, e-commerce, logistics and finance. For more information, please visit HERE.

 

Investment merits

Board – almost all Singaporeans with illustrious backgrounds

Except for EC’s Chairman Mr Zhang Guobiao, the Board comprises of all Singaporeans. With reference to EC’s 2017 annual report (click HERE), Mr Goh Toh Sim, Executive Director & CEO of EC, has over two decades of experience in the management of industrial parks, real estate development and business management in China. Prior to joining the Manager, he was the Chief Representative in China for Keppel Corporation Limited where he was responsible for government relations and business development. Mr Goh also served as the CEO of Ascendas China and Deputy CEO of Suzhou Industrial Park.

Mr Chan Heng Wing, Independent Non-Executive Director and Lead Independent Director holds directorship at Banyan Tree Holdings Limited, Fraser Property Limited and Fraser and Neave Limited. Mr Chan is a senior adviser with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and he served as the press secretary (1990-1997) for former PM Goh Chok Tong. Mr Chia Yew Boon, Independent Non-Executive Director was previously a Senior Vice President at GIC Special Investments  Pte Ltd.

FX risks hedged

The Manager continues to be prudent and proactive in the execution of its risk management. Based on their 1QFY18 financials, it stated that 100% of the interest rate risk of their SGD borrowings was hedged using floating for fixed interest rate swaps. EC has also hedged their RMB income for distribution via FX option contracts on a 6 months rolling basis.

Maiden acquisition to kick start its acquisition roadmap

On 28 Feb 2018, EC announced that it has started its first DPU accretive acquisition post listing by acquiring an e commerce logistic asset (click HERE) with a net consideration of approximately S$31.0m. Based on the detailed announcement (click HERE), it has two anchor tenants viz. Dang Dang and JD.  Although headline net property yield (in RMB terms) is around 4.9%, management explains the current low yield is partly attributed to the concessionary rental rates the previous owner gave to one of the anchor tenants when the asset is completed. This provides the REIT with further rental reversion potential. Furthermore, EC is confident that it can boost the yield further by raising its current 82% occupancy rate. Moreover, there are rental escalation clauses in the leases ranging from 4.5% to 5.0% per annum which are likely to provide potential for positive rental reversion in the future.

This acquisition also illustrates EC’s ability to acquire other assets from other parties. i.e. it is not restricted to acquire assets from its sponsor, Forchn Holdings Group Co., Ltd.

More about the Sponsor

Forchn, established in 1992 and headquartered in Shanghai, is a diversified enterprise group specialising in the real estate sector, industrial sector, e-commerce, logistics and finance. It is a founding shareholder of Alibaba’s Cai Niao Network. Forchn is the founder and only shareholder of Ruyicang E-commerce Logistics Services. According to an article in The Edge dated 18 Jun 2018, Ruyicang expects to double its current handling of 1m packages to 2m packages by 2019. Ruyicang is still looking to expand even though it already operates 37 warehouses in 23 cities.

Based on EC’s prospectus, Forchn has extensive construction and operational experience in the logistics industry and has independently invested over RMB5.0b in the Zhejiang Province. Forchn’s current portfolio of China brands also includes the 400-year old cutlery brand, Zhang Xiao Quan.

Pipeline of ROFR projects ensures strong NLA and DPU growth

Based on Table 1 below, EC has a right of first refusal (“ROFR”) for two assets from its sponsor. According to management, Fuzhou E Commerce Properties have been completed and is fully functional, while Stage 2 of Bei Gang Logistics has only been partially completed and operational. Fuzhou E Commerce Properties is large with a GFA of 215,643 sq. metres. If acquired, it should have a meaningful impact to EC’s distribution income and asset profile as a serious E commerce logistics player.

Table 1: EC’s ROFR pipeline

 

Portfolio of assets – most have master leases with rental escalations

Based on Table 2 below, EC has six assets, out of which, three assets, namely Fu Heng, Beigang and Chongxian Port Investment have master leases. Typically, master leases usually cap rental reversions, but EC manages to circumvent this problem by having rental escalation clauses. By doing so, EC seems to have the “best of both worlds”, namely income stability and potential rental escalations.

Table 2: EC’s existing 6 assets, excluding EC’s Wuhan acquisition

Source: EC’s annual report 2017

Reit manager – performance fee based on DPU growth

EC World Asset Management Pte. Ltd is EC’s Reit Manager. The Reit manager’s performance fee is based on 25% per annum of the difference in DPU in this financial year vs preceding financial year. The Reit manager is 100% owned by Forchn Holdings Group Co., Ltd, EC’s Sponsor, which in turn owns approximately 42% of EC. Hence, it is reasonable to say that the Reit Manager’s interests are likely to be aligned with that of EC.

Sponsor’s tie up with YCH opens more opportunities

Based on a press release dated 24 Apr 2018, Forchn and YCH Group have signed an agreement in the presence of Senior Minister of State (Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry) Sim Ann. Through this agreement, EC can assess an acquisition portfolio of 13 YCH logistics real estate assets, totalling more than 280,000 sq. m of GFA and an estimated value of S$400m. Subject to negotiations, due diligence and regulatory approval, should the above acquisitions be done (likely to be in phases), YCH would continue to lease and operate the assets. Forchn would transfer to YCH a significant stake with board representation in EC’s Reit Manager. Furthermore, YCH and Forchn are launching a US$150m fund in 2H2018 for the development and acquisition of logistic assets in key cities across the Belt Road countries to improve the transportation infrastructure in the region.

Valuations do not seem pricey

Based on Table 3 below, EC trades at 0.79x P/BV and 8.4% estimated dividend yield, as compared to the average 0.80x P/BV and 7.3% estimated dividend yield. Although the companies listed may not be direct comparables, it is nonetheless a gauge for potential investors.

Table 3: EC vis-à-vis peers with China assets

Source: Bloomberg 29 Jun 2018

 

Investment risks

Some noteworthy investment risks are as follows:

90% of the leases by gross rental income expire by 2020

Based on Chart 1 below, there are concerns by some investors that 90% of EC’s leases by gross rental income will expire by 2020. Based on Table 4 below, four of the top five tenants contributed 94.4% of its gross rental income in FY17 and their leases will expire by 2020. Although this may seem risky, it is noteworthy that Hangzhou Fu Gang, Forchn Holdings and Hangzhou Fuyang are directly or indirectly related to EC’s sponsor. Therefore, as long as its sponsor is fundamentally sound and growing steadily, it should relatively bode well for EC. China Tobacco, founded in 1949 is the main lessee for EC’s Hengde Logistics. Based on EC’s annual report 2017, it is reported that the value of the products stored in Hengde Logistics by China Tobacco is estimated to be worth RMB10b, or SGD2b equivalent! This is almost 3.7x EC’s market capitalisation of around S$568m. Thus, it is likely that there is a certain level of trust and comfort level between EC and China Tobacco, resulting in some “client stickiness”.

Chart 1: 90% of the leases by gross rental income expire by 2020

Source: EC’s annual report 2017

Table 4: EC’s top five tenants by contribution to gross rental income

Source: EC’s annual report 2017

Third CEO in EC’s Reit Manager post listing

Since listing, EC’s Reit Manager has seen some changes in its CEOs from Mr Peter Lai, to Mr Alvin Cheng and subsequently to Mr Goh Toh Sim. In fact, this is one of the queries raised by Securities Investors Association (Singapore) (“SIAS”) on 18 April 2018 and management has replied (click HERE). In short, Mr Lai stepped down due to medical reasons. Mr Cheng resigned to pursue his other interests. Management emphasises that the management team is likely to be stable for the foreseeable future.

Illiquid with daily average 30D volume amounting to 200K shares

EC shares are thinly traded. Average 30D and 100D volume amount to approximately 200K shares and 316K shares respectively. This is not a liquid company where investors with meaningful positions can enter or exit quickly. This is partly due to the shareholding structure. Based on EC’s annual report 2017  (updated as of 15 Mar 2018), the top twenty substantial shareholders hold approximately 96% of EC.

Limited analyst coverage

Last year, Religare has a rated report dated 2 Mar 2017 with a target price of $0.92. Subsequently, I have not seen any updated report. There is limited analyst coverage now with a recent report by SooChow CSSD Capital Markets. It is likely that some investors and fund managers are still not familiar with EC’s business and prospects, thus it may take some time for Mr. Market to get to know this company. EC is cognisant of this and it is actively ramping up its investor relation activities to engage the investment community. For example, EC has attended the Reits Symposium 2018, held at Suntec on 19 May 2018. Furthermore, EC has a Facebook page (click HERE) and a Linkedin page (click HERE) where investors can visit to know more about its developments.

Figure 1: Limited analyst coverage

Source: Bloomberg 22 Jun 2018

Limited knowledge in Reit

For those who have been following my write-ups since the inception of my blog, you would have noticed that this is likely to be the 1^st or 2^nd (likely to be the 1^st) company write-up on a Reit. This is because I am usually interested in companies with a higher beta, due to my limited portfolio size, higher risk profile and returns expectations. Therefore, it is possible that I may not have the expertise and experience in understanding a Reit thoroughly. As with all other investments, it is best to do your own due diligence before committing to a trade or investment.

Small market cap of S$568m

Reits face this conundrum at times. They typically need to acquire assets to boost their DPU growth. With DPU growth, markets may ascribe higher market valuations to the reits. However, for reits with depressed share prices, or low market valuations compared to their net asset value, this makes it more costly and difficult for them to raise funds via equity. This may impede their growth or acquisition strategy. However, EC has a relatively comfortable gearing of approximately 28.9%, providing it with ample debt headroom for future acquisition. Therefore, it may not need to raise funds via equity for acquisitions at the moment, especially when it is trading at a discount to its NAV.

P.S: Do note the above list of risks is not exhaustive.

 

Chart analysis

Based on Chart 2 below, EC has fallen 11% from its IPO price $0.810 to close $0.720 on 29 Jun 2018. EC is entrenched in a downtrend with all the exponential moving averages (EMAs) moving lower, coupled with death cross formations. Notwithstanding the downward EMAs, ADX is at a relatively low level of 14.0 which indicates a lack of trend. Based on price action, EC seems to be forming a base around $0.715 – 0.725. In addition, indicators such as RSI, MACD, MFI and OBV are exhibiting bullish divergences. It is noteworthy that a sustained breach above $0.750 alleviates the bearish feel of the chart. A sustained breach below $0.695 exacerbates the bearish feel in the chart.

Near term supports: $0.715 / 0.695 – 0.700 / 0.675

Near term resistances: $0.725 / 0.735 / 0.750

Chart 2: EC has fallen 11% from its IPO price $0.810

Source: InvestingNote 29 Jun 2018

P.S: Chart reading is subjective especially for illiquid stocks.

 

In a nutshell,

EC has fallen 11% from its IPO price $0.810 to close $0.720 on 29 Jun 2018. Taking into account of the dividends amounting to SGD0.0995 given to date, shareholders who have held EC since IPO are unlikely to be in the red, given current market price $0.720. Having said that, if EC can continue on its plan to acquire DPU accretive assets with no execution mishaps and according to plan, there may be scope for share price re-rating.

Notwithstanding the above, readers should be aware of some of the potential risks in EC (the list of risks is by no means exhaustive), such as most of the leases will expire by 2020; three of the four master lessee tenants are directly or indirectly related to the Sponsor (double edged sword); and my limited knowledge in Reit as a whole etc. It is important to do your due diligence before making any trading or investment decision.

 

Disclaimer

Please refer to the disclaimer HERE