Keppel DC REIT: 1Q25 Business Updates – Portfolio recalibration continues to drive earnings growth

Dale Lai17 Apr 2025
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  • 1Q25 DPU of 2.503 Scts is in line with our projections, forming c.25% of our full year estimates
  • Key positives: i) continued positive rental reversions of +7%, ii) healthy portfolio occupancy rate and long WALE, iii) improvement in gearing and `borrowing costs
  • What we are watching out for: i) loss allowances at Guangdong DC as rents continue to be in arrears
  • Maintain BUY recommendation with TP of SGD 2.50

 

1Q25 Key Operating Metrics

Metrics1QFY254QFY24% q/q1QFY24% y/y
Portfolio Occupancy (%)96.5%97.2%-0.7 ppt98.3%-1.8 ppt
Rental Reversions (%)7%30%---
Gross Revenue (SGD mn)102.276.2+34.283.4+22.6
Net Property Income (SGD mn)88.163.2+39.471.0+24.1
Aggregate Leverage (%)30.2%31.5%-1.3 ppt37.6%-7.4 ppt
Interest Coverage Ratio5.8x5.3x+0.5x4.6x+1.2x
All-in Debt Cost (%)3.1%3.1%-3.5%-3.5 ppt
Fixed Rate Borrowings (%)68%66%+2 ppt73%-5 ppt
DPU (cents)2.5032.454+2 ppt2.192+14.2 ppt

Source: Keppel DC REIT, DBS

 

What has happened?

Keppel DC REIT (KDCREIT) posted a strong 1QFY25 performance, with DPU of 2.503 Scts, in line with our projections, and in line with consensus estimates. This was a 2ppt increase q/q, and 14.2ppt increase y/y. This came on the back of a +22.6% y/y jump in gross revenue to SGD 102.2mn, lifted by the acquisitions of Keppel DC Singapore 7 & 8 and Tokyo DC1, as well as contract renewals and escalations. KDCREIT continued to post positive rental reversions of +7% in 1Q25 even as no major contract renewals were carried out during the quarter. NPI rose +24.1% y/y to SGD 88.1mn, while distributable income surged +59.4% y/y to SGD 61.8mn, partly aided by acquisitions and lower finance costs amid falling rates. . Cost of debt remained stable q/q at 3.1%, and aggregate leverage dipped to 30.2% (will increased to c.34.6% with the land tenure lease extension for SGP 7 & 8) following the divestment of Kelsterbach DC in March 2025. 

 

Our Views

While near-term noise from Guangdong continues, this is largely provisioned. The divestment of Kelsterbach DC and Basis Bay, as well as the ongoing portfolio rebalancing should uplift quality and margins. With data centre demand surging globally — particularly from hyperscalers and edge-AI needs — KDCREIT is well-positioned with assets in Singapore, Tokyo, and key European markets. Despite the lack of one-off dispute settlement sum at SGP 1 received in 2024, recent acquisitions and savings in financing costs will drive earnings growth. 

We will be maintaining our BUY recommendation with TP of SGD 2.50.




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