CapitaLand Ascott Trust (CLAS) has recently acquired two freehold limited-service hotels in Japan for a total of JPY21 billion ($178.5 million). The two hotels are ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza, located in the bustling city of Tokyo, and Chisun Budget Kanazawa Ekimae, situated in the charming city of Kanazawa. The acquisition was made at a discounted price of 8.3% based on independent valuation. This strategic move addresses a key part of CLAS’ portfolio reconstitution strategy to enhance the quality of their portfolio and deliver stable returns to their Stapled Securityholders.
The acquisition of these two hotels is expected to have a positive impact on CLAS. On a FY2024 pro forma basis, the acquisition is projected to increase CLAS’ distribution per stapled security (DPS) by 1.6%. Furthermore, the blended net operating income (NOI) yield for the two hotels is estimated to be at 4.3%, which is higher than the yield from the four properties that were divested in the past year. This natural hedging against currency fluctuations is made possible by funding the acquisition with JPY-denominated debt and proceeds from the divestment of the four previous properties in Japan.
The ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza is situated in the heart of the city’s shopping and entertainment district. With 224 well-equipped rooms, the hotel provides easy access to popular spots such as Ginza Six, a high-end retail mall, and the famous Uniqlo global flagship store. Guests can also take a leisurely stroll to the iconic Ginza Wako clock tower in less than 10 minutes.
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As for the Chisun Budget Kanazawa Ekimae, it is located in the northwest of Japan, in the city of Kanazawa. This city is known for its rich history and cultural attractions, including traditional landscaped gardens, the Kanazawa Castle, and the geisha and samurai districts with preserved architectural designs from Japan’s Edo period. The hotel offers 392 spacious units, providing guests with easy access to these popular attractions.
The acquisition of these two hotels is part of CLAS’ continuous growth strategy. In the past 12 months, CLAS has completed investments of approximately $530 million. These acquisitions have a higher yield compared to the divestments, which has effectively enhanced CLAS’ income distribution.
Some notable investments completed by CLAS in 2024 include Teriha Ocean Stage, a rental housing property in Fukuoka, Japan, acquired in January 2024. In June 2024, CLAS purchased the remaining 10% stake in Standard at Columbia, a student accommodation property in the United States of America. In December 2024, CLAS completed the acquisition of lyf Funan Singapore.
In the same year, CLAS also divested properties worth over $500 million, unlocking approximately $74 million in net gains. This demonstrates CLAS’ proactive approach in portfolio management, constantly seeking opportunities to optimize their portfolio and maximize returns for their Stapled Securityholders.
Serena Teo, CEO of CLAS’ manager, expressed her confidence in these strategic acquisitions. “The acquisition is part of our portfolio reconstitution strategy to enhance the quality of our portfolio and deliver stable returns to our Stapled Securityholders,” she said. “By swiftly redeploying divestment proceeds into these higher-yielding assets, we have fully replaced the income from the four divested properties.”
On the stock market, CapitaLand Ascott Trust closed at 90 cents per unit. This significant acquisition further strengthens CLAS’ position in the market, and investors can expect positive returns in the coming years.…