CapitaLand Ascott Trust (CLAS) has recently made a strategic move by acquiring two freehold limited-service hotels in Japan for a total of JPY21 billion ($178.5 million). The two hotels, ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza and Chisun Budget Kanazawa Ekimae, are located in the country’s capital and Kanazawa respectively. This acquisition was done at a discounted price of 8.3% compared to independent valuation.
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Upon completion, the acquisition is expected to contribute positively to CLAS’ financial performance. On a FY2024 pro forma basis, the two hotels are expected to increase the distribution per stapled security (DPS) by 1.6%. The blended net operating income (NOI) yield of the acquisition is also estimated to be 4.3% in FY2024. The acquisition was financed by JPY-denominated debt and proceeds from the divestment of four properties in Japan, providing a natural hedge against currency fluctuations.
ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza is situated in the heart of the city’s shopping and entertainment district. With 224 units, the hotel is conveniently located next to Ginza Six, a popular high-end retail mall, and the well-known Uniqlo global flagship store. Guests can also easily access iconic landmarks such as the Ginza Wako clock tower within a 10-minute walk.
Similarly, the 392-unit Chisun Budget Kanazawa Ekimae is located in Kanazawa, a city known for its historical attractions, traditional gardens, and cultural icons. Guests can easily visit popular tourist spots such as Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen Garden, and the heritage geisha and samurai districts boasting preserved architectural designs from Japan’s Edo period.
This acquisition comes after CLAS’ investments of approximately $530 million in the past 12 months. The strategic acquisitions provide higher yields than the previous divestments, thereby enhancing CLAS’ income distribution. These include Teriha Ocean Stage, a rental housing property in Fukuoka, Japan, and Standard at Columbia, a student accommodation property in the United States of America.
CLAS’ Manager CEO Serena Teo shares, “The acquisition is part of our portfolio reconstitution strategy to enhance the quality of our portfolio and deliver stable returns to our Stapled Securityholders. The FY2024 NOI yield of the two hotels is 230 basis points higher than the blended exit yield of approximately 2.0% for the four previous divestments in Japan. By swiftly redeploying divestment proceeds into these higher-yielding assets, we have fully replaced the income from the four divested properties.”
With a successful acquisition and divestment strategy, CLAS has demonstrated its ability to adapt to the ever-changing market conditions. As of now, the trust has completed over $500 million in divestments and has unlocked $74 million in net gains.
Closing at 90 cents per unit, CapitaLand Ascott Trust continues to show strong potential in the market.…