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RAM Ratings assigns AA2 corporate credit rating to Sunway REIT, A1(s) rating to Perpetual Note Programme
Published on 10 Nov 2023.
RAM Ratings has assigned an AA2/Stable/P1 corporate credit ratings to Sunway Real Estate Investment Trust (Sunway REIT or the REIT), A1(s)/Stable rating to its previously unrated RM10.0 bil Perpetual Note Programme and affirmed the P1(s) rating of its RM3.0 bil Commercial Papers (CP) Programme. The suffix (s) to the issue ratings indicate that the Issuers – SUNREIT Perpetual Bond Berhad and SUNREIT Capital Berhad – both of which are wholly owned non-operating vehicles of Sunway REIT - rely on inter-company payments from the REIT to meet their financial obligations under the respective programme.
The rating actions are premised on our view that Sunway REIT’s credit fundamentals remain supportive of its corporate credit ratings. The REIT is viewed to have a favourable market position with a prime and diversified asset and tenant mix, substantial financial flexibility and healthy debt coverage, thanks to proactive capital management and a balanced funding mix.
The Perpetual Note Programme is rated two notches below the REIT’s long-term corporate credit rating to reflect its subordinated position and the risk of deferrable coupon payments. The issue rating of the CP Programme is reflective of the REIT’s credit profile. As at end-June 2023, securities pledged under the CP Programme and other pari passu debts sharing the same security provided collateral cover of 2.35 times over outstanding debts.
Sunway REIT’s revenue for 1H FY Dec 2023 outperformed our expectations, rising 17.0% y-o-y to RM349.33 mil as a result of high single-digit rental reversion, encouraging tenant sales at the REIT’s retail malls and a higher lease contribution from its hotels. Its net property income margin while lower due to increased electricity charges, was still a respectable 73% (FY Dec 2022: 77%). Fixed charge coverage eased to 3.07 times (FY Dec 2022: 3.73 times) owing to higher interest rates and a slightly heavier debt load. Nonetheless, we believe potential income upside from positive rental reversion, the gradual upward revision of service charges and cashflow recovery from completed asset refurbishments will help sustain the ratio at 3.20 times to 3.40 times for FY2023 and FY2024.
Since our last rating announcement in June 2023 (click here), the REIT’s newer asset, Sunway REIT Industrial – Petaling Jaya 1, has secured a tenant (occupying about 22% of lettable area, effective December 2023) and is in active negotiation with two potential tenants. The REIT has also firmed up asset enhancement plans for Sunway Carnival Mall and Sunway Pyramid Mall, which will be completed within the next one to two years. The estimated cost will be staggered and funded by internal cash and borrowings. These developments, along with the REIT’s continued efforts to grow its portfolio and further diversify into less cyclical segments while expanding its geographical reach will support earnings growth and stability.
Analytical contacts
Liew Kar Ling
(603) 3385 2586
karling@ram.com.my
Tan Han Nee
(603) 3385 2529
hannee@ram.com.my
Media contact
Sakinah Arifin
(603) 3385 2500
sakinah@ram.com.my
The credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security, inasmuch as it does not comment on the security’s market price or its suitability for a particular investor, nor does it involve any audit by RAM Ratings. The credit rating also does not reflect the legality and enforceability of financial obligations.
RAM Ratings receives compensation for its rating services, normally paid by the issuers of such securities or the rated entity, and sometimes third parties participating in marketing the securities, insurers, guarantors, other obligors, underwriters, etc. The receipt of this compensation has no influence on RAM Ratings’ credit opinions or other analytical processes. In all instances, RAM Ratings is committed to preserving the objectivity, integrity and independence of its ratings. Rating fees are communicated to clients prior to the issuance of rating opinions. While RAM Ratings reserves the right to disseminate the ratings, it receives no payment for doing so, except for subscriptions to its publications.
Similarly, the disclaimers above also apply to RAM Ratings’ credit-related analyses and commentaries, where relevant.
Published by RAM Rating Services Berhad
© Copyright 2023 by RAM Rating Services Berhad
