CityDev looks from Buangkok to Belgravia and Singapore to Suzhou for FY17 earnings

SINGAPORE (Feb 24): CIMB is maintaining its “add” call on City Developments with higher target price of S$10.51. Even though FY2016 earnings excluding exceptionals came in flat, FY2017 earnings should be well supported by China and UK residential developments.

In a Thursday report, analyst Lock Mun Yee says residential activities are likely to continue to drive earnings. In 4Q2016, residential profit before tax doubled to S$242.6 million (RM767.55 million) with progressive billings from Singapore and maiden contribution from Suzhou Hong Leong City Centre P1 (SHLCC P1) in China. SHLCC P2 also generated an additional RMB502 million of sales. In Singapore, recognition came from Gramercy Park, Jewel @ Buangkok and other JV projects.

4Q2017 is expected to see the completion of P2; while in the UK, the Belgravia and Knightsbridge are scheduled to be completed in 2Q2017. Maiden billings from Forest Woods are expected from FY2017.

“We expect progressive sales and recognition of these contributions to underpin earnings,” says Lock.

To recap, CityDev reported lower 4Q and FY2016 earnings of S$243.8 million and S$653.2 million respectively.

FY2016 hotel profit before tax fell 32% to S$115.7 million, due to challenging operating conditions, particularly in New York and Singapore, AEI works at selected hotels and pre-opening costs from JW Mariott South Beach.

However, 2017 is off to a more positive start with its global REVPAR rising 4.5% in January, says Lock. Millennium & Copthorne is also taking steps to increase revenue and profit across its portfolio.

Meanwhile, CityDev’s balance sheet is strong with net gearing of 16% and management expects to continue to deploy capital, particularly in the core markets of the UK and China.

Shares of CityDev are trading 1 Singaporean cent lower at S$9.65. — theedgemarkets.com.sg

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