Singapore, April 11, 2022 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has assigned a senior unsecured rating of A3 to the proposed SGD-denominated notes to be issued by Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust (Ascendas REIT, A3 stable) under its existing euro medium-term securities program, which is rated (P)A3.
Ascendas REIT will use the proceeds from the notes to refinance existing borrowings.
RATINGS RATIONALE
Ascendas REIT's A3 issuer rating is underpinned by its (1) diversified portfolio of high-quality industrial assets across Singapore, Australia, Europe, the UK and the US; (2) established market position as one of the largest industrial REITs in Singapore; (3) stable operating track record and resilient income from its properties that capture the growth in the third-party logistics, e-commerce, pharmaceutical, medical and IT sectors; and (4) prudent financial policies in maintaining healthy credit metrics while growing through acquisitions.
At the same time, Ascendas REIT's rating is constrained by its acquisitive growth strategy and use of short-term revolving credit facilities.
Moody's expects Ascendas REIT's credit metrics to remain within the A3 rating parameters over the next 12-18 months, with adjusted net debt/EBITDA at 7.6x-7.9x and adjusted EBITDA/interest expense at 4.8x-5.1x.
Ascendas REIT's liquidity is inadequate over the next 12-18 months. Nonetheless, the trust's track record of funding access and established banking relationships will likely mitigate this refinancing risk. As of 31 December 2021, the trust had cash and cash equivalents of SGD369 million, compared to SGD627 million of utilized revolving credit facilities as well as SGD624 million of medium-term notes and term loans maturing over the next 18 months.
In terms of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, Moody's has considered the governance risk stemming from related-party transactions between Ascendas REIT and its sponsor, CapitaLand Investment Limited. This risk is mitigated by the regulatory oversight provided by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and exercised through the board, which consists mostly of independent directors. Further, there is an alignment of interest between Ascendas REIT and CapitaLand Investment Limited because the latter has an 18% stake in the trust.
FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATING
Moody's could upgrade the rating if Ascendas REIT continues to improve its geographic diversification while strengthening its credit metrics, such that its adjusted debt/total deposited assets falls below 35% and its adjusted net debt/EBITDA drops below 6.0x on a sustained basis.
On the other hand, Moody's could downgrade Ascendas REIT's rating if (1) the operating environment deteriorates, leading to higher vacancy levels and a decline in the trust's operating cash flow or a fall in asset valuations; or (2) the trust's credit metrics weaken, such that its adjusted net debt/EBITDA rises above 8.0x or its adjusted EBITDA/interest coverage falls below 3.5x.
In addition, a material change in Ascendas REIT's business risk profile resulting from an expansion into higher-risk jurisdictions could also pressure the trust's rating.
The principal methodology used in this rating was REITs and Other Commercial Real Estate Firms Methodology published in July 2021 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1272320. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.
Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust (Ascendas REIT) was listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange in November 2002. As of 31 December 2021, the trust had a diversified portfolio of 96 properties in Singapore, 34 in Australia, 49 in the UK and Europe as well as 41 in the US, with a total valuation of SGD16.3 billion.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004.
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Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1288235.
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YuSheng Tay
Analyst
Corporate Finance Group
Moody's Investors Service Singapore Pte. Ltd.
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Singapore Land Tower
Singapore, 48623
Singapore
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Vikas Halan
Associate Managing Director
Corporate Finance Group
JOURNALISTS: 852 3758 1350
Client Service: 852 3551 3077
Releasing Office:
Moody's Investors Service Singapore Pte. Ltd.
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Singapore Land Tower
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JOURNALISTS: 852 3758 1350
Client Service: 852 3551 3077