Earnings Release • Feb 14, 2019
Earnings Release
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Regulated information Embargo until 14/02/2019, 7:30 pm
Antwerp, 14 February 2019
1 Compared to the fair value of the investment properties as at 31 December 2017, with unchanged composition of the portfolio.
The ex-dividend date for coupon no. 22 is expected to be 3 May 2019.
• Increase of the real estate portfolio to € 1,3 billion by the end of 2021.
| 1. | Operating activities in 2018 | 5 |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1. 1.2. 1.3. 1.4. 1.5. 1.6. |
2018 in brief Real estate portfolio Investments Development potential for 2019 Rental activity Duration of rental agreements in portfolio |
5 10 15 21 24 25 |
| 2. | Financial annual results for 2018 | 28 |
| 2.1. | Consolidated income statement 2.2. Consolidated balance sheet 2.3. Financial structure |
28 33 35 |
| 3. | Outlook for 2019 | 38 |
| 4. | Financial calendar 2019 | 43 |
| Annexes: Financial statements | 44 |
Alternative performance measures are criteria used by Intervest to measure and monitor its operational performance. The measures are used in this press release, but they are not defined by an act or in the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) issued guidelines which, as of 3 July 2016, apply on the use and explanation of the alternative performance measures. The concepts that Intervest considers to be alternative performance measures are included in a lexicon on the www.intervest.be website called "Terminology and alternative performance measures". The alternative performance measures are marked with ★ and provided with a definition, objective and reconciliation as required by the ESMA guidelines. A consequence of these guidelines is that the term used prior to this, "operating distributable result", is no longer usable. For that reason, the label has been changed to "EPRA earnings". However, with regard to content there is no difference with "operating distributable result", the term used previously. EPRA (European Public Real Estate Association) is an organisation that promotes, helps develop and represents the European listed real estate sector, both in order to boost confidence in the sector and increase investments in Europe's listed real estate. For more details, please visit www.epra.com.
Following the significant change in its shareholder structure in 2016, Intervest Offices & Warehouses (hereinafter "Intervest") stipulated its own course and realised the growth plan that it had communicated at the start of 2016, based on the reorientation of the office portfolio and the expansion of the logistics portfolio, with an annual average growth rate of 12% in the real estate portfolio.
In 2018, Intervest successfully continued its strategic growth plan and achieved a number of important milestones. After all, the real estate portfolio more than achieved the assumed value of € 800 million, the total leasable space has in the meantime extended to over 1 million m² and the company's market capitalisation has exceeded the threshold of € 500 million.
In 2018 the real estate portfolio experienced a growth of 31% or € 204 million, mainly due to acquisitions and redevelopments, in line with the strategy and, in this way, it grew from € 663 million as at 31 December 2017 to € 867 million as at the end of 2018. The strategic objective to enable the real estate portfolio to grow to € 800 million has therefore been more than achieved. In addition, Intervest has committed developments in the pipeline in the Netherlands of € 57 million with three logistics projects in the Netherlands (Roosendaal and Eindhoven) that will be delivered in the course of 2019.
The fair value of the existing real estate portfolio (excluding acquisitions) increased slightly in 2018 by approximately € 4 million or 0,6%1 . The offices experienced a decrease in value of 1% due to the adaptation of the yields. The fair value of the logistics portfolio increased by 2% as a result of the sharpening of the yields, both in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The ratio of the real estate segments in the portfolio at the end of the year 2018 corresponded to the strategy stated: 60% was invested in logistics real estate and 40% in office buildings (54% and 46% respectively at the end of 2017). In 2018, the real estate portfolio was expanded by approximately 230.000 m² and reached a significant threshold as at 31 December 2018 with a total leasable space of over 1 million m².
In 2018 Intervest realised a total of eight new acquisitions for a total amount of € 186 million, of which six are logistics sites in the Netherlands, one in Belgium and an office site in Belgium.
The logistics real estate portfolio in the Netherlands was further expanded in its logistics hotspots, with the formation of clusters in the Southern Netherlands, namely in Tilburg, Raamsdonksveer, Roosendaal, Vuren and Eindhoven. The portfolio in the Netherlands now totals 196.000 m², amounts to € 154 million and consists of eight sites, all of which have an occupancy rate of 100%.
1 Compared to the fair value of the investment properties as at 31 December 2017, with unchanged composition of the portfolio.
The acquisitions in the logistics portfolio were a strategically intended mix of more expensive investments in finished buildings having long-term lease agreements, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, developments and built-to-suit projects where a better yield can be achieved, obviously always with due regard for and the limitation of the risks related to such developments. As a matter of fact, logistics real estate is becoming more expensive on the current market. Therefore, it is advisable to be careful regarding the acquisition route and investment yields must be closely monitored. Intervest sees possibilities of investing at more attractive yields in the office market, on condition that the office buildings are suited to adjust to the Greenhouse concept where traditional office space is combined with the extensive service provision, serviced offices, coworking, shared meeting rooms and event spaces.
In 2018, successful developments were realised in reorienting the office portfolio through the Greenhouse concept, according to which the offices are used as pioneering, inspirational meeting places where working and well-being come together. The construction work of Greenhouse BXL in Diegem with a third Greenhouse Flex (coworking lounge) has been fully completed and the site is operational. Over 80% of the space is let. Many of these leases commence in 2019 and will generate rental income as from then. Commercialisation is fully under way.
Within this framework, Intervest also acquired the service-oriented office complex Ubicenter in December 2018. Ubicenter is a contemporary multi-tenant office complex of 23.150 m² on Philipssite on the outskirts of Leuven. The office has a foyer, a company restaurant, an auditorium and a business centre operated by MC Square, which blends in perfectly with the Greenhous flexible business hub concept of Intervest in Antwerp, Mechelen and Brussels.
In both its market segments, Intervest is positioning itself beyond real estate and is acting as a real estate partner which does more than simply let square metres of office or logistics space. Intervest can unburden its customers and offer them added value by listening to what they want, by thinking along with them and by thinking ahead. The many positive reactions from the customers to these turn-key solutions serve as an encouragement to Intervest in further expanding this approach.
In 2018 Intervest lay the foundation for the company's further growth with the development of 'Genk Green Logistics'. This project has a future development potential of approximately 250.000 m² state-of-the-art logistics real estate on zone B on the former Ford-site, spanned over a period of five years. The Ford site is an exceptional investment opportunity because of its location, size and multi-modal accessibility.
This year, particular attention was paid to acquiring the site for an amount of € 3 million, developing the cooperation with Group Machiels, creating the company Genk Green Logistics and its accreditation as institutional RREC (IRREC) and the application to be accredited as brownfield site. It is expected that demolition will start in the first quarter of 2019 and that construction works for the first logistics building will start in the second semester of 2019.
The occupancy rate of the total real estate portfolio of Intervest amounted to 93% as at 31 December 2018, which means that there was an increase of 2% compared to the end of the year 2017 (91%). There was an increase of 3% to 88% in the occupancy rate for the office portfolio as at 31 December 2018 (85% at the end of the year 2017, 76% including Greenhouse BXL). The occupancy rate of the logistics portfolio remained stable at 98% as at 31 December 2018 (98% as at the end of the year 2017).
The increase in the occupancy rate was mainly due to the occupancy of 80% of the leased Greenhouse BXL, the lease of the entire Greenhouse Mechelen (tower building on Mechelen Campus) and the acquisition of various fully leased logistics sites.
It has been an active year for lease transactions. In 2018, a total of 38 long-term lease agreements were entered into or extended, representing 15% of the rental income. In the office portfolio, agreements for 32.600 m² or 21% of the rental income in the office segment were signed. 22.800 m² or 15% is made up of new leases or extensions. This caused the WALL offices (average remaining duration of the lease agreements until the next expiry date) to increase to 3,5 years (3,1 years as at 31 December 2017). Moreover, in the office segment, 38 flexible agreements were entered into for Greenhouse Flex and serviced offices in Brussels, Mechelen and Berchem.
In the logistics segment, 72.200 m² were recorded, which represents 10% of the rental income of the logistics segment. 6% relates to new leases. In addition, temporary agreements for 35.200 m² or 9% of the rental income of the logistics segment were entered into or extended by an indefinite duration or by less than one year. The WALL logistics increased from 4,4 years as at 31 December 2017 to 5,5 years as at 31 December 2018. This is a consequence of the acquisitions in the Netherlands, which have an extended effect on the WALL logistics of 1,4 years.
In November 2018, Intervest performed a successful capital increase with irreducible priority allocation right in the amount of € 99,9 million to finance the established investments in the pipeline in the amount of € 197 million. In December 2018, € 128 million of this amount in the pipeline was immediately converted into real estate investments generating immediate rental income.
Furthermore, the shareholders' equity was also reinforced by € 10 million in May 2018 due to the optional dividend, whereby 57,5% of the shareholders opted for shares.
The growth of the real estate portfolio was partly financed by the capital increase and partly by borrowed capital. This produced a strong balance sheet structure, whereby the debt ratio of Intervest was 43,5% as at 31 December 2018 (44,6% as at 31 December 2017).
The capital increase in November 2018 caused the market capitalisation of Intervest to reach the mark of € 500 million.
Within the framework of financing the growth of the real estate portfolio, the financing portfolio of Intervest also expanded by € 88 million or 22% in 2018. A commercial paper programme was hereby initiated for a maximum amount of € 70 million (€ 30 million of which was used as at 31 December 2018). This commercial paper contributed to the diversification of the financing sources and the further optimisation of the financing cost. In 2018, Intervest also concluded new bilateral credit lines and extended financing with its financing partners. This caused the average duration of the long-term financing to remain almost stable at 4,4 years at the end of the year 2018.
In line with the expansion of the financing portfolio, additional rate swaps for a notional amount of € 100 million, each lasting between 5 and 7 years, were purchased as interest risk hedging. The hedging ratio amounted to 84% at the end of the year 2018 and was in line with the Intervest strategy to have a hedging ratio of at least 80%. The average duration of the interest rate swaps was extended from 3,6 years to 4,2 years as at 31 December 2018.
This financing, interest hedging and optimisation have caused the average financing cost of Intervest to decrease from 2,6% in 2017 to 2,4% in 2018.
At year-end 2018, a buffer of € 113 million of non-withdrawn credit lines was available to finance committed acquisition projects in the pipeline in the amount of € 57 million, the repayment of the bond loan in the amount of € 25 million, which will expire as at 1 April 2019 and the dividend payment in May 2019. In January 2019, Intervest concluded additional financing for an amount of € 25 million for a duration of 7 years.
Because of the limited debt ratio of 43,5% as at 31 December 2018, Intervest can still invest approximately € 120 million with borrowed capital before reaching the top of the strategic range of 45%-50%.
The strategic growth plan that is based on the reorientation of the office portfolio and the expansion of the logistics real estate was successfully continued in 2018 and led to the increase in the EPRA earnings in 2018.
The EPRA earnings for financial year 2018 rose by 14% compared to financial year 2017. The rental income increased by 11% pursuant to the acquisitions of financial years 2017 and 2018 and the leases in the existing real estate portfolio. The increase in the rental income is partly compensated by the limited increase in the property charges and the higher financing costs as a result of the growth of the real estate portfolio. The operating margin improved by almost 2% from 81% in 2017 to 83% in 2018. The average interest rate of the financing dropped from 2,6% in 2017 to 2,4% in 2018 because of credit renewals and the issue of a commercial paper.
The EPRA earnings per share rose by 3% and amounted to € 1,63 for 2018 compared to € 1,58 for 2017. This was despite a rise of 10% of the weighted average number of shares caused by the capital increase of November 2018 and the optional dividend in May 2018.
In accordance with the strategy announced, the gross dividend for financial year 2018 will amount to € 1,40 per share (€ 1,40 for 2017), which means that there is a gross dividend yield of 6,8% based on the closing rate for the Intervest share as at 31 December 2018, which amounted to € 20,60. The net value (fair value) amounted to € 19,62 as at 31 December 2018, compared to € 19,52 as at 31 December 2017, which means that the share was listed at a premium of 5% as at 31 December 2018.
The 5.397.554 new shares that were issued in the capital increase of November 2018, were issued without coupon no. 21 and participate in the result for the financial year 2018 as from 30 November 2018. Coupon no. 21 was already detached as at 15 November 2018 and entitles the holder to a pro rata temporis dividend to the value of € 1,28 per share for the period from 1 January 2018 until 29 November 2018, inclusive. Coupon no. 22 entitles the holder to a pro rata temporis dividend to the value of € 0,12 per share for the period from 30 November 2018 until 31 December 2018, inclusive. Both coupons will be paid in May 2019.
| Key Figures* | 31.12.2018 | 31.12.2017 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logistics | Offices | Total | Logistics | Offices | Total | |||||
| Belgium | The Netherlands |
Total logistics |
Total offices |
Belgium | The Netherlands |
Total logistics |
Total offices |
|||
| Fair value of investment properties (in million €) |
366 | 154 | 520 | 347 | 867 | 335 | 24 | 359 | 304 | 663 |
| Real estate segment ratio |
42% | 18% | 60% | 40% | 100% | 50% | 4% | 54% | 46% | 100% |
| Contractual leases (in million €) |
27 | 10 | 37 | 27 | 64 | 25 | 2 | 27 | 22 | 49 |
| Gross rental yield on real estate available for lease (in%) |
7,5% | 6,3% | 7,2% | 7,8% | 7,4% | 7,7% | 6,9% | 7,7% | 7,0% | 7,3% |
| Gross rental yield (in cluding vacant prop erties) on real estate available for lease (in%) |
7,7% | 6,3% | 7,3% | 8,9% | 7,9% | 7,9% | 6,9% | 7,8% | 9,1% | 8,4% |
| Net rental yield (EPRA NIY) (in%) |
6,3% | 5,6% | 6,1% | 6,3% | 6,2% | 6,7% | 5,9% | 6,6% | 5,3% | 6,0% |
| Average remaining duration of lease agree ments (until first expiry date) (in years) |
3,8 | 10,1 | 5,5 | 3,5 | 4,6 | 3,8 | 13,7 | 4,4 | 3,1 | 3,9 |
| Occupancy rate (EPRA) (in%) |
97% | 100% | 98% | 88% | 93% | 97% | 100% | 98% | 85% | 91% |
| Number of leasable sites | 24 | 8 | 32 | 13 | 45 | 23 | 2 | 25 | 12 | 37 |
| Gross leasable space (in 000 m²) |
589 | 196 | 785 | 238 | 1.023 | 550 | 34 | 584 | 211 | 795 |
* All concepts and their calculations are included in a lexicon on the www.intervest.be website, called "Terminology and alternative performance measures".
The ratio between the two segments as at the end of 2018 was 60% logistics buildings and 40% offices, as compared to 54% and 46%, respectively, as at 31 December 2017. With this, Intervest has achieved its strategic objective set to shift the composition of the portfolio towards logistics.
Intervest invests in high-quality office buildings in Belgium and in logistics properties in Belgium and the Netherlands that are leased to first-rate tenants. The real estate properties in which the company invests consist primarily of modern buildings that are strategically located, often in clusters. The office segment focuses on the Antwerp - Mechelen - Brussels axis and is located both in the city centre and on campuses outside the city. The logistics segment of the portfolio in Belgium is located on the Antwerp - Brussels - Nivelles, Antwerp - Limburg - Liège and Antwerp - Ghent - Lille axes and, in the Netherlands, focuses on the Moerdijk - 's Hertogenbosch - Nijmegen and Bergen-op-Zoom - Eindhoven - Venlo axes.
"In just two years, Intervest has succeeded not only in developing a Dutch logistics real estate portfolio of more than € 150 million, but also in immediately forming clusters in some of the most important logistics hubs in the Southern Netherlands. It is a strategy that we will resolutely pursue with the project developments in the pipeline in Roosendaal and Eindhoven." - Jean-Paul Sols, ceo Intervest
The fair value of the investment properties of Intervest increased by € 204 million in 2018, and amounted as at 31 December 2018 to € 867 million (€ 663 million as at 31 December 2017).
| Key figures (in million €) | 31.12.2018 | 31.12.2017 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logistics | Offices | Total | Logistics | Offices | Total | |
| Properties available for letting | 513 | 347 | 860 | 357 | 304 | 661 |
| Spare land | 5 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Real estate held by right of use | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Investment properties | 520 | 347 | 867 | 359 | 304 | 663 |
The fair value of the logistics portfolio increased in 2018 by € 161 million or 45% due to:
The fair value of the office portfolio increased in 2018 by € 43 million or 14%, mainly due to:
The total occupancy rate of the portfolio experienced a positive evolution in 2018. The occupancy rate of the total real estate portfolio of Intervest amounted to 93% as at 31 December 2018, which means that there was an increase of 2% compared to the end of the year 2017 (91%).
There was an increase of 3% to 88% in the occupancy rate for the office portfolio as at 31 December 2018 (85% at the end of the year 2017, 76% including Greenhouse BXL).
The occupancy rate of the logistics portfolio remained stable at 98% as at 31 December 2018 (98% at the end of the year 2017).
The increase in the occupancy rate was mainly due to the occupancy of 80% of the leased Greenhouse BXL, the lease of the entire Greenhouse Mechelen (tower building on Mechelen Campus) and the acquisition of various fully leased logistics sites.
In 2016, Intervest set the strategic objective of making the real estate portfolio grow to over € 800 million and to take the ratio of the logistics portfolio to 60% of the total real estate portfolio. In 2018, this objective was achieved and the total real estate value amounts to € 867 million. The growth is focused on logistics clusters within a radius of 150 km from Antwerp and contemporary, service-oriented office buildings in easily accessible locations.
In Belgium, Intervest acquired a logistics site in Ghent and a multi-tenant office building in Leuven in 2018. Intervest also completed the works to redevelop Greenhouse BXL with a third Greenhouse Flex.
In the Netherlands, Intervest added six new logistics sites to the portfolio, located in Vuren, Tilburg, Raamsdonksveer, Roosendaal and Eindhoven. 30% of the logistics real estate portfolio is now located in the Netherlands.
In total, Intervest achieved a total of € 186 million in new acquisitions and € 10 million of expansions and investments on existing sites in 2018.
The recently acquired three have together a leasable space of approximately 227.200 m² and generate a rental income flow of over € 12 million annually. The acquisitions have an average gross initial yield of 6,4%.
Intervest's investment strategy targets clusters on easily accessible logistics locations. The Flemish Havenbedrijf Gent - which merged into North Sea Port with the Dutch Zeeland Seaports at the end of 2017 - is an expansive logistics area on the Antwerp - Ghent - Lille axis that fits into this investment strategy. In 2018, Intervest took its first step in this important logistics area.
In Belgium, Intervest expanded its logistics portfolio to the Ghent seaport area (part of North Sea Port) by achieving a sale-and-lease-back operation. Intervest acquired the shares of the real estate company which owns a logistics site and is the concessionaire of the site, owned by Haven Gent. The easily accessible pharmaceutical site of 38.000 m² - of which approximately 40% was renovated in 2018 - is composed of three adjoining units and the roofs are fully equipped with a photovoltaic installation. From the time that it was acquired in December 2018, an international logistics service provider leased the entire site for a fixed period of 10 years.
The purchase value of the real estate owned by the real estate company amounted to € 23 million and generates annual rental income corresponding to a gross initial yield of 5,9%.
"With this transaction in Ghent, Intervest's scope will be extended to the expansive North Sea Port area. This transaction therefore facilitates further growth possibilities for Intervest, the objective being to set up a new logistics cluster here."
Jean-Paul Sols, ceo Intervest
Intervest focused in 2018 on forming logistics clusters in the Netherlands.
In 2018 West-Brabant was once again pronounced as the primary logistics hotspot2 in the Netherlands.
Intervest has taken up an important position in the expansive Roosendaal area and in Raamsdonksveer it extended its position in the Dombosch business park to a cluster of three sites.
In Tilburg, Intervest expanded its investment properties on the Vossenberg II industrial site with an additional site on the Katsbogten industrial site. Thanks to the centralised location, good infrastructure, accessibility and international-level entrepreneurial climate, Tilburg is the 2nd most important hub3 in the Netherlands.
Intervest also took up an important position in Eindhoven, which is ideally located for distribution activities in the south of the Netherlands, thanks to the various motorways, an airport for both passenger and freight transport and a railway node to be found there.
In June 2018, Intervest acquired the shares of the Vastgoed Vuren bv real estate company, which is the owner of a built-to-suit distribution centre in Vuren, and the accompanying land. Vuren is easily accessible via the A15 and A27. The new construction project of 13.760 m² consists of various climate-controlled storage areas and a custom 2-storey office section for the pharmaceutical wholesaler The Medical Export Group (MEG). The warehouses are suitable for storing pharmaceutical products and temperature-sensitive goods. MEG has concluded a triple net lease agreement for a fixed period of 10 years starting from delivery in the third quarter of 2018.
The total purchase value of the real estate property amounted to € 12,8 million and provides an annual rental income of € 0,8 million, which corresponds to a gross initial yield of 6,5%.
In July 2018, Intervest purchased a second logistics site in Raamsdonksveer consisting of approximately 35.000 m² of warehouse and mezzanine and approximately 700 m² of offices. The distribution centre has been leased by Dome Vastgoed since 2015 and operated by Welzorg, the second largest provider of mobility aids in the Netherlands. This site borders the distribution centre acquired by Intervest in 2017, and so a strategic building cluster originated at this location.
The purchase value amounted to € 24 million and the site generates an annual rental income of € 1,2 million which represents a gross initial yield of 5,1%.
This site was purchased together with Silver Forum in Eindhoven by way of a transaction subject to registration rights.
ANNUAL RESULTS 2018
Pursuant to the purchase of the Silver Forum distribution centre, Intervest has acquired an important position on the strategically located and multi-modal easily accessible Flight Forum on the site of Eindhoven Airport .
Silver Forum includes a total leasable space of approximately 24.300 m² consisting of a warehouse and mezzanine, approximately 5.900 m² of separate offices and has approximately 200 parking spaces around the building. The building has a strikingly organic shape with a silver-coloured curved finish to the façade. Since 2002, the entire distribution centre has been leased to the listed high-tech company ASML, global leader in the manufacture of machines for semiconductors.
The purchase value amounted to € 16,4 million and the site generates an annual rental income of € 1,8 million which represents a gross initial yield of 10,8%.
This site was purchased together with the site at Zalmweg 41 in Raamsdonksveer by way of a transaction subject to registration rights.
In the middle of December 2018, Intervest purchased a third site on the Dombosch industrial site in Raamsdonksveer by achieving a sale-and-lease-back operation for the primary establishment of Itsme bv, wholesaler and service provider for electronic and mechanical components. The distribution centre with separate accompanying office building has a surface area of approximately 14.500 m². Itsme leases the entire site from the purchase date for a fixed term of 12 years under a triple net regime.
The total purchase value amounted to € 10,7 million and the site provides an annual rental income of € 0,8 million, which corresponds to a gross initial yield of 7,2%.
At the end of 2018, Intervest added a second site in Tilburg to its portfolio. Intervest is the owner of the head office of home retailer Kwantum, part of Homefashion Group, by way of a sale-and-lease-back operation. The site is located on the Katsbogten industrial site and consists of a distribution centre with separate accompanying office building jointly spanning 28.000 m². Kwantum has from the purchase date leased the entire site for a fixed period of 10 years under a triple net regime and will renovate the office building, make it more sustainable, expand it and simultaneously modernise the distribution centre during the first year of the agreement. Kwantum is the market leader in wall, window and floor products and has its own webshop and over 100 fully owned stores in the Benelux.
The total purchase value amounted to € 22,1 million and this site provides an annual rental income of € 1,3 million, which corresponds to a gross initial yield of 5,7%.
ANNUAL RESULTS 2018
At the end of December, Intervest concluded a sale and lease-back agreement for a logistics site in Roosendaal of a total of approximately 38.200 m² of storage space and accompanying offices, located on a site of over 13 hectares on the industrial site of Majoppeveld Noord. The site accommodates the head office and one of the most important distribution centres of Jan de Rijk Logistics, a leading transport and logistics service provider.
The site will be fully leased by Jan de Rijk Logistics under a triple net regime for a fixed term of 15 years from the purchase date.
The total purchase value amounted to € 38,5 million and this site provides an annual rental income of € 2,1 million, which corresponds to a gross initial yield of 5,5%.
In 2018, Intervest further implemented its strategy to invest in inspiring multi-tenant offices at easily accessible locations in large agglomerations in Flanders.
Intervest acquired the service-oriented office complex Ubicenter in December 2018. Ubicenter is a contemporary office complex of 23.150 m² on Philipssite on the outskirts of Leuven, of which over 95% is leased to 12 tenants. The building features a foyer, a company restaurant, an auditorium and a business centre operated by MC Square. The office complex fits in with Intervest's Greenhouse flexible business hub concept, which combines traditional office spaces with extensive service provision, serviced offices, coworking, shared meeting rooms and event spaces in Antwerp, Mechelen and Brussels.
The total purchase value amounted to € 33,7 million and provides an annual rental income of € 2,8 million, which corresponds to a gross initial yield of 8,2%. The transaction is structured as a transfer of a long-lease right that runs until 2099, with the city of Leuven holding the residual property rights.
Intervest positions itself as a real estate company which does more than simply lease square metres. Intervest goes beyond real estate. By listening to the customer, brainstorming with them and making plans for the future, Intervest is able to "unburden" its customers and offer them added value.
Greenhouse symbolises the 'new way of working' where custom offices, serviced offices and coworking lounges are combined with modern meeting and event rooms and additional services. The concept encourages interaction between visitors, fixed and flexible tenants.
In 2016, Intervest reoriented the Greenhouse Antwerp office building into a successful and innovative multi-tenant service-oriented and inspiring office building that combines traditional office space with flexible workspace. In Mechelen the office tower building on Mechelen Campus - where the flexible working concept was first introduced in 2012 - was renamed Greenhouse Mechelen. Flex-time workers can go to the three Greenhouse locations in: Antwerp, Mechelen and Brussels. In the second half of 2018 the number of flex-time workers strongly increased. In 2018 a total of 38 flexible agreements were concluded with coworkers or tenants of serviced offices.
The departure of the tenant in its building in Diegem at the start of 2017 also provided Intervest with the opportunity to achieve the same redevelopment of this high-quality building in an easily accessible location that is exceedingly suited for being repositioned into the Greenhouse concept. After being thoroughly renovated, Greenhouse BXL opened its doors in the fourth quarter of 2018. Greenhouse BXL is imposing with a glass entrance hall that functions as a multi-functional meeting place and event area. There are also various meeting and event rooms, including an auditorium that can accommodate 200 people. There are two restaurants in the building. The Grand Café 'The Velvet Corner' has a wide range of healthy club sandwiches and salads on offer. The company restaurant "The Greenery" has a more extensive menu. Tenants can call on a service desk, which ensures a personalised approach when it comes to their needs.
The first tenants Cazimir and Owens & Minor moved in in 2018 and at the start of 2019 Greenhouse BXL welcomed Essity, Konica Minolta and Goodyear. They will be joined by Roche at the end of 2019. The total occupancy rate as at 31 December 2018 amounted to 80% and only about 10% of the leasable space is still available for letting as traditional office space. The first tenants of the serviced offices have in the meantime also moved into the new office building.
The total investment in this redevelopment project amounted to € 10 million, of which € 8 million in 2018 and € 2 million in 2017.
At the start of 2017, Intervest also purchased the adjoining vacant building at Berkenlaan 7 at the land price for € 1,8 million, with the intention of demolishing the existing building and integrating the site with Greenhouse BXL with the creation of an additional open area with a park, opportunities to relax and an underground parking lot. In 2019 the reorientation works will further be developed and concreted.
In Belgium, Intervest is working on redeveloping zone B of the former Ford site in Genk and in the Netherlands, Intervest has three committed logistics developments in the pipeline that will be completed in 2019. After they have been completed, these developments will expand the clusters that Intervest intends to form in the Netherlands.
Genk Green Logistics is the cooperative company between Intervest, on the one hand, and Group Machiels, on the other, which together with developer MG Real Estate and DEME Environmental Contractors will be responsible for the redevelopment of one of the most large-scale accessible tri-modal logistics hubs in Flanders.
The site is strategically located in the important logistics corridor Antwerp - Limburg - Liège. The surface area of the entire Ford site is 133 hectares. The site has tri-modal access via the Albert Canal, rail and the proximity of the E314 and E313. The large scale of the site and its tri-modal access are unique trump cards to put Genk Green Logistics on the map as a logistics hotspot. Genk Green Logistics has purchased the site on zone B of the Ford site, which is 42 hectares. Zone A is to become a public domain reserved for community events. Zone C is the property of De Vlaamse Waterweg.
Genk Green Logistics plans a full new construction project at zone B, which will consist of a state of the art logistics complex of approximately 250.000 m² after full development. This surface area is intended to be developed in phases, spread over different buildings, over an expected period of five years.
Genk Green Logistics stands for a development plan with a clear commercial focus on large scale operation and e-commerce. It expects that this will attract a broad range of users to the site, from e-commerce retail activities, e-fulfilment service providers to classic 3PL organisations. Genk Green Logistics will also be open to other logistics needs or the smart manufacturing industry.
Together with its partners, Genk Green Logistics pools expertise in the investment, development and remediation of large-scale industrial sites. The partners in and of Genk Green Logistics therefore also aim to develop the project in cooperation with all stakeholders into a total concept that will strengthen the wider region.
In the course of 2018, a few important steps will be taken in the redevelopment of the former Ford site in Genk:
De Vlaamse Waterweg will still be carrying out demolition, remediation and infrastructure works in zone A in the first few years but Genk Green Logistics can simultaneously start the construction works for the new build developments in large parts of zone B. Genk Green Logistics strongly believes in the commercial attractiveness of the region and the benefits that the large-scale project can offer the logistics service providers and it will also start the first building of approximately 20.000 m² without pre-leasing. The first building will be operational in 2020.
In the course of 2019 and 2020, Genk Green Logistics will pay its contribution in the amount of € 12 million to the demolition, remediation and infrastructure works in phases, based on the progress of the works. Intervest will systematically communicate detailed information regarding financing, yields and other preconditions as the various phases progress. Depending on the precise outcome, the final investment value of the entire project will vary between € 120 million and € 150 million.
In January 2018, Intervest concluded a private agreement subject to the usual suspensive conditions for the purchase of a site of 3,9 hectares on the industrial site Borchwerf I in Roosendaal. In cooperation with a specialised developer, Intervest will build a state-of-theart logistics complex on this site, consisting of over 24.100 m² of storage space, 3.200 m² of mezzanine and 600 m² of offices. The site will be transferred to Intervest in 2019, following demolition works and prepared for construction, after which the construction works can be started. Delivery is expected by the fourth quarter of 2019.
The complex is being commercialised. The final purchase price will depend on the rental situation at the time the building is delivered and will vary between € 18,3 million and € 20,9 million. At this point in time, it is estimated that the building will generate approximately € 1,3 million rental income per year and that the gross initial yield will vary between 7,1% and 6,2%, depending on the duration of the lease agreement to be concluded.
Intervest concluded a turn-key purchase agreement in November 2018 subject to the usual suspensive conditions for the purchase of a logistics development near the airport of Eindhoven, on a plot of approximately 33.000 m².
Gold Forum is a state-of-the-art sustainable logistics project development of approximately 21.000 m² and will form one whole architectural and functional unit with the Silver Forum purchased in 2018, which will create a complete logistics complex of almost 50.000 m². Just like Silver Forum, Gold forum will be given a strikingly organic shape but with a gold-coloured curved finish to the façade.
The logistics building is being developed by and at the risk of Kero Vastgoed, a Dutch property developer from the Eindhoven region. Delivery is expected by the third quarter of 2019, the moment at which Intervest will acquire the building. Kero Vastgoed provides a rental guarantee of € 1,2 million per year for 2 years after the purchase date.
The total purchase value will amount to € 18,9 million and will provide an annual rental income of € 1,2 million, which corresponds to a gross initial yield of 6,2%.
In November 2018, Intervest entered into an agreement for the acquisition of a BREEAM Very Good certified new construction built-to-suit project on the Borchwerf II industrial site subject to the usual suspensive conditions. The new construction project of 17.800 m² for production and distribution activities will be delivered in the first quarter of 2019, at the moment at which Intervest will become owner, and the triple net lease starts for a fixed period of 15 years.
The new warehouse will be given a striking look with a protruding awning at the front and glass spanning the entire height of the building. A photovoltaic installation will be fitted on the roof.
With this acquisition, Intervest takes up a third position in Roosendaal and thus further develops its formation of clusters in the top logistics hotspot in West-Brabant.
The total purchase value will amount to € 16,8 million and will provide an annual rental income of € 1,0 million, which corresponds to a gross initial yield of 5,7%.
With regard to leases, Intervest extended or renewed a total of 15% of rental income in 2018 for long-term rental income. This was 9% in 2017. 38 rental transactions for 105.000 m² were concluded with new or existing tenants. The lease activity in 2018 focused mainly on agreements with new tenants, i.e. 8% of the rental income (3% in 2017) in 18 transactions. With regard to expansions and extensions, Intervest concluded 20 transactions, which represent 45.400 m² or 6% of the rental income (6% in 2017).
In the office portfolio, Intervest leased 32.600 m² in 30 transactions, which represents 21% of the rental income of the office segment. This was 6% in 20 transactions in 2017. This relates to a mix of new tenants (12% of the rental income for offices), including Roche, Goodyear, Konica Minolta, Owens & Minor, Essity and Cazimir who are moving in at Greenhouse BXL, as well as extensions and expansions with existing tenants (9% of the rental income for offices) such as Galapagos and Cochlear in Mechelen and Rexel in Zellik.
In the logistics portfolio, 72.200 m² were leased in eight transactions, which represents 10% of the rental income of the logistics segment. This was 12% in 10 transactions in 2017. Here, too, agreements were mainly entered into with new tenants, namely 6% of the logistics rental income, and, in this way, it was possible to provide for anticipatory occupancy of a few sites that were expected to become vacant, with the result that the degree of occupancy in the logistics segment remained stable compared to the end of 2017.
Besides these long-term leases and extensions, in the logistics segment, temporary agreements for 35.200 m² or 9% of the rental income of the logistics segment were also concluded or extended by an indefinite period or a period of less than one year. Moreover, in the office segment, 38 flexible agreements were concluded for Greenhouse Flex and serviced offices in Brussels, Mechelen and Berchem, where the flexibility of the new Greenhouse Flex formula that provides the subscribers with the possibility of using the coworking lounges in the three Greenhouse locations in Antwerp, Brussels and Mechelen has led to an increase in the number of coworkers. The serviced offices in Greenhouse Antwerp were already previously fully leased and those in Brussels are being occupied from the start of 2019.
Average remaining duration of the agreements until the next expiry date
For the offices, the average remaining lease period duration until the next expiry date (WALL) amounted to 3,5 years as at 31 December 2018, as compared to 3,1 years as at 31 December 2017. For large office tenants (above 2.000 m²), which comprise 67% of the overall remaining rental income flow, and which therefore have a great impact on Intervest's results, the next expiry date (as at 1 January 2019) is, on average, after 3,8 years, compared to 3,4 years at the of December 2017. This improvement in the average remaining lease period is mainly caused by the newly concluded lease agreements for Greenhouse BXL, often with a duration of 6 years or more, and, in this way they have a positive effect on the average remaining agreement duration of 0,4 year.
For the logistics properties, the average lease period duration until the next expiry date amounted to 5,5 years as at 31 December 2018, as compared to 4,4 years as at 31 December 2017. This increase is mainly due to the acquisition of five logistics sites that are leased for long terms. They increase the remaining agreement duration until the next expiry date by 1,4 years and provide a WALL logistics in the Netherlands which amounted to 10,1 years as at 31 December 2018.
The final expiry dates of Intervest's lease agreements are well-spread out over the coming years. Based on the contractual annual rent, 9% of the agreements have a final expiry date in 2019. Only 5% of the agreements will reach the final expiry date in 2020.
As at 16 February 2018, Intervest learned via the press of Medtronic's intention of closing its logistics site in Opglabbeek. The annual rent for Medtronic represents 3% of Intervest's total contractual rental income. The first possibility to give notice for the contract is 31 August 2022. In the meantime, the first discussions have been conducted with Medtronic to further examine the options regarding any re-rental and termination of the agreement in 2022.
The lease agreement with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Woluwe Garden, will expire as at 31 December 2021. In the meantime, it is clear to Intervest that this tenant, which represents 5% of Intervest's total contractual rental income, does not want to conclude a new lease agreement after this expiry date and will leave the site by the end of 2021. With the successful repositioning of Greenhouse BXL, Intervest has already proven that any departure by an important tenant need not necessarily be negative. In the course of 2019 the future opportunities for this building will be further analysed, on the level of a redevelopment into a Greenhouse-hub site as well as on the level of divestment.
Also with regard to Nike Europe Holding, representing 4% of the contractual rental income, the company is currently not clear on the intention regarding whether or not the current availability agreement, which will partly expire in 2020 and partly in 2021, will be renewed.
As agreements are often of the type 3/6/9, a large number of tenants have the possibility to end their lease agreements every three years. The graph gives the first expiry dates of all lease agreements (this can be the final expiry date or an interim expiry date). Because Intervest has several long-term agreements, not all lease agreements can be terminated after three years, however.
The graph shows the hypothetical scenario as at 31 December 2018 in which every tenant terminates its lease agreement on the next interim expiry date. This is a worst-case scenario; on average, the tenants who vacated in 2018 only gave notice after a lease period of almost 8 years, 14 years in 2017.
In 2019, 10% of the agreements reach their interim or final expiry date, of which 5% in the office portfolio and 5% in logistics real estate.
Intervest's EPRA earnings for the financial year 2018 amounted to € 31,2 million. This result signifies an increase of 14% compared to the result of € 27,4 million in 2017. The EPRA earnings per share rose by 3% and amounted to € 1,63 for 2018 compared to € 1,58 for 2017. This was despite a rise of 10% of the weighted average number of shares caused by the capital increase of November 2018 and the optional dividend in May 2018.
This rise in the EPRA earnings was mainly due to the 11% rise in the rental income due to the acquisitions of financial years 2017 and 2018 and the leases in the existing real estate portfolio, partly compensated by the limited increase in the property charges and the higher financing costs as a result of the growth in the real estate portfolio.
The operating margin improved by almost 2% from 81% in 2017 to 83% in 2018. The average interest rate of the financing dropped from 2,6% in 2017 to 2,4% in 2018 because of credit renewals and the issue of a commercial paper programme.
| Number of shares | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Number of shares at year-end | 24.288.997 | 18.405.624 |
| Number of shares entitled to dividend | 24.288.997 | 17.740.407 |
| Number of shares entitled to dividend coupon 21 | 18.891.443 | n/a |
| Number of shares entitled to dividend coupon 22 | 24.288.997 | n/a |
| Weighted average number of shares | 19.176.981 | 17.409.850 |
| Result per share - the Group's share | ||
| Net result (€) | 1,78 | 1,22 |
| EPRA earnings based on the weighted average number of shares (€) | 1,63 | 1,58 |
| Pay-out ratio* (%) | 86% | 89% |
| Gross dividend** (€) | 1,40 | 1,40 |
| Percentage withholding tax | 30% | 30% |
| Net dividend (€) | 0,9800 | 0,9800 |
| Balance sheet information per share - Group share | ||
| Net value (fair value) (€) | 19,62 | 19,52 |
| Net asset value EPRA (€) | 19,88 | 19,62 |
| Share price on closing date (€) | 20,60 | 22,49 |
| Premium with regard to fair net value (%) | 5% | 15% |
* Intervest Offices & Warehouses is a public regulated real estate company with a legal distribution obligation of at least 80% of the net result, adjusted to non-cash flow elements, realised capital gains and capital losses on investments properties and debt reductions.
** Subject to approval by the annual general meeting to be held in 2019.
| EPRA key figures | 31.12.2018 | 31.12.2017 |
|---|---|---|
| EPRA earnings (in € per share) (Group share) | 1,63 | 1,58 |
| EPRA NAV (in € per share) | 19,88 | 19,62 |
| EPRA NNNAV (in € per share) | 19,49 | 19,28 |
| EPRA Net Initial Yield (NIY) (%) | 6,2% | 6,0% |
| EPRA Topped-up NIY (%) | 6,4% | 6,2% |
| EPRA Vacancy rate (%) | 6,7% | 13,8% |
| EPRA cost ratio (including direct vacancy costs) | 17,4% | 19,0%* |
| EPRA cost ratio (excluding direct vacancy costs) | 16,2% | 17,6%* |
* Figures after adaptation of the calculation of the EPRA Cost Ratio's after a thorough analysis of the EPRA definitions. Figures as published in the Annual report 2017: EPRA cost ratio (including direct vacancy costs): 20,6% EPRA cost ratio (including direct vacancy costs): 19,1%
The EPRA NIY and the EPRA topped-up NIY increased as at 31 December 2018 as compared to 31 December 2017 as a result of the lettings in the existing portfolio, compensated by acquisitions during 2017 and 2018 at more sharpened yields.
The EPRA cost ratio as at 31 December 2018 decreased compared to 31 December 2017, as a result of the higher rental income from acquisitions and the limited increase of property charges.
| in thousands € | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Rental income | 47.920 | 43.349 |
| Rental-related expenses | -53 | -4 |
| Property management costs and income | 806 | 623 |
| Property result | 48.673 | 43.968 |
| Property charges | -6.394 | -6.162 |
| General costs and other operating income and costs | -2.725 | -2.729 |
| Operating result before result on portfolio | 39.554 | 35.077 |
| Changes in fair value of investment properties | 7.033 | -7.274 |
| Other result on portfolio | -2.472 | -89 |
| Operating result | 44.115 | 27.714 |
| Financial result (excl. changes in fair value of financial assets and liabilities) | -8.005 | -7.467 |
| Changes in fair value of financial assets and liabilities (ineffective hedges) | -1.615 | 1.119 |
| Taxes | -390 | -180 |
| NET RESULT | 34.105 | 21.186 |
| Minority interests | -9 | 0 |
| NET RESULT - Group share | 34.114 | 21.186 |
| Note: | ||
| EPRA earnings | 31.168 | 27.430 |
| Result on portfolio | 4.561 | -7.363 |
| Changes in fair value of financial assets and liabilities (ineffective hedges) | -1.615 | 1.119 |
Intervest's strategy is based on a reorientation of its office portfolio and a growth of the logistics real estate portfolio. For financial year 2018, the rental income of Intervest amounted to € 47,9 million, an increase of € 4,6 million or 11% as compared to financial year 2017 (€ 43,3 million).
The rental income in the logistics portfolio increased by € 4,0 million. This is an increase of 17% compared to 2017. The increase was mainly the result of investments in 2017 which contributed to the result for a full year in 2018, as well as new logistics acquisitions in 2018 in Vuren, Eindhoven, Raamsdonksveer, Roosendaal, Tilburg and Ghent, which caused the rental income to increase further. The expansions achieved in 2017 in the existing sites in Herentals and Herstal also contributed to the increase in rental income.
The rental income in the office segment increased slightly by € 0,6 as a result of new leases of vacant space in places such as Mechelen Campus Tower and Woluwe Garden. The leases in Greenhouse BXL will gradually contribute to the company's rental income during the course of 2019. The acquisition of the Ubicenter in Leuven in December 2018 will also contribute to the result for a full year in 2019.
1 The figures between brackets are the comparable figures for financial year 2017.
The property charges for financial year 2018 amounted to € 6,4 million (€ 6,2 million). The limited rise of € 0,2 million was caused primarily by (i) the € 0,5 million increase in property management costs due to the expansion of the Intervest team as a result of the growth of the real estate portfolio, and (ii) partially compensated by lower technical costs.
The general costs and other operating income and costs amounted to € 2,7 million for financial year 2018 and have therefore remained at the same level as last year (€ 2,7 million).
The increase in rental income, combined with the limited increase in property costs and stable general costs, means that the operating result before the result on portfolio increased by € 4,5 million or 13% to € 39,6 million in 2018 (€ 35,1 million). This has caused an improvement from 81% in 2017 to 83% in Intervest's operating margin for financial year 2018.
Intervest did not divest any invest properties in financial year 2018.
The changes in the fair value of investment properties amounted to € 7,0 million in 2018 (€ -7,3 million). The positive changes in fair value are the result of:
In 2018, the other result on portfolio amounted to € -2,5 million (€ -0,1 million) and primarily comprised the provision for deferred tax on non-realised increases in value on the investment properties belonging to the perimeter companies of Intervest in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The financial result (excl. changes in fair value of financial assets and liabilities (ineffective hedges)) amounted in 2018 to € -8,0 million (€ -7,5 million). The increase of the financing costs is a result of the growth of the real estate portfolio. The refinancing carried out in 2017 and 2018 to optimise the financing structure gives, together with the commercial paper programme that was implemented in July 2018, a partially compensation of the increased costs and a decrease of Intervest's average financing cost.
The changes in fair value of financial assets and liabilities (ineffective hedges) include the change in market value of the interest rate swaps which, in line with IAS 39, cannot be classified as cash flow hedging instruments, in the amount of € -1,6 million (€ 1,1 million).
The net result of Intervest for the 2018 financial year amounted to € 34,1 million (€ 21,2 million) and can be divided into:
This means EPRA earnings of € 31,2 million (€ 27,4 million) for financial year 2018. Taking into account the 19.176.981 weighted average number of shares, this results in EPRA earnings per share of € 1,63 per share as compared to € 1,58 per share for financial year 2017.
Within the scope of its growth strategy, Intervest decided in March 2016 to plan a gross dividend of a minimum of € 1,40 per share for financial years 2016, 2017 and 2018 . The shareholders can be offered a gross dividend of € 1,40 for the financial year of 20182 (€ 1,40 for the financial year of 2017). This equals a pay-out ratio of 86% of the EPRA earnings. This represents a gross dividend yield of 6,8%, based on the closing share price as at 31 December 2018 (€ 20,60).
| in thousands € | 31.12.2018 | 31.12.2017 |
|---|---|---|
| ASSETS | ||
| Non-current assets | 867.582 | 663.846 |
| Current assets | 19.582 | 15.572 |
| Total assets | 887.164 | 679.418 |
| SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | ||
| Shareholders' equity | 477.208 | 359.366 |
| Share capital | 219.605 | 167.720 |
| Share premiums | 167.883 | 111.642 |
| Reserves | 55.015 | 58.818 |
| Net result for the financial year | 34.114 | 21.186 |
| Minority interests | 591 | 0 |
| Liabilities | 409.956 | 320.052 |
| Non-current liabilities | 297.951 | 255.584 |
| Current liabilities | 112.005 | 64.468 |
| Total shareholders' equity and liabilities | 887.164 | 679.418 |
The non-current assets consisted mainly of the real estate investments of Intervest. The fair value of the real estate portfolio in 2018 experienced a growth of 31% and increased by approximately € 204 million due to acquisitions and redevelopments, in keeping with the strategy. The fair value of the real estate portfolio as at 31 December 2018 amounted to € 867 million (€ 663 million). The underlying fair value of the real estate portfolio underwent the following changes in 2018:
3 The figures between brackets are the comparable figures for financial year 2017.
The current assets amounted to € 20 million (€ 16 million) and consisted mainly of € 10 million trade receivables of which € 9 million for advance invoicing for the first quarter of 2019, € 5 million from tax receivables and other current assets, € 2 million from liquid assets and € 2 million from deferred charges and accrued income.
The company's shareholders' equity increased by € 118 million or 33% in 2018, and as at 31 December 2018, it amounted to € 477 million (€ 359 million as at 31 December 2017), represented by 24.288.997 shares (18.405.624 shares as at 31 December 2017). This increase was primarily due to:
As a result of these capital increases, the share capital of the company rose in 2018 by € 53 million to € 221 million (€ 168 million) and the share premiums rose by € 56 million to € 168 million (€ 112 million).
The company's reserves amounted to € 55 million (€ 59 million).
As at 31 December 2018, the net value (fair value) of a share was € 19,62 compared to € 19,52 as at 31 December 2017. The EPRA NAV per share amounted to € 19,88 as at 31 December 2018. This means that there was an increase of € 0,26 compared to the EPRA NAV per share of € 19,62 as at 31 December 2017 as a result of combining the EPRA result generation, the revaluation of the portfolio, and the dividend payment for financial year 2017.
As the share price of the Intervest share (INTO) was € 20,60 as at 31 December 2018, the share was listed at a premium of 5% on the closing date, compared to the fair net value. In this regard account must be taken of the fact that as at 31 December 2018, the share was listed without coupon 21, which was detached as at 15 November 2018 and entitled the holder to a pro rata temporis dividend of € 1,28. Taking this into account, the share was quoted at a premium of 12%.
Market capitalisation reached € 500 million as at 31 December 2018.
4 The figures between brackets are the comparable figures for financial year 2017.
The non-current liabilities amounted to € 298 million (€ 256 million) and, on the one hand, comprise non-current financial debts in the amount of € 289 million (€ 252 million) which consisted of € 254 million long-term financing, the expiry date of which is after 31 December 2019, and the bond loan issued in March 2014 for € 35 million. On the other hand, the non-current liabilities also comprised the other non-current financial liabilities, representing the negative market value of € 3 million of the cash flow hedges concluded by the company to hedge the variable interest rates on the financial debts. Furthermore, as at 31 December 2018, a reserve of € 3 million was set up for deferred taxes and an amount of € 2 million for the liabilities for real estate held by right-of-use, in accordance with IFRS 16.
Current liabilities amounted to € 112 million (€ 64 million) and consisted mainly of € 87 million (€ 47 million) in current financial debts (financing with an expiry date before 31 December 2019 and the bond loan of € 25 million issued in March 2014 for which the expiry date is as at 1 April 2019), of € 5 million in trade debts and other current debts, and of € 18 million in accrued charges and deferred income.
The financial policy of Intervest is aimed at optimally financing the company's growth strategy. For this purpose, there is an attempt to achieve an equilibrium in the debt-shareholders' equity ratio, where the intention is to keep the debt ratio between 45% and 50%. Intervest ensures that there are enough resources available to finance current projects and to be able to follow up growth opportunities. Sound diversification of various financing sources is pursued, as is an adequate spread of the expiry dates of the financing agreements. Intervest continues to pay attention to actively managing the financial risks, including risk of interest, of liquidity and of financing.
In practice, Intervest extended its financing portfolio by € 88 million or 22% in 2018. The further optimisation of its financing structure was achieved by:
• making its hedging strategies stronger through the current low interest rates: where the previous target hedge ratio in 2016 was still 66%, Intervest increased the aim for the hedging ratio to at least 80%. The hedging ratio amounted to 84% at the end of the year 2018 (76% as at 31 December 2017) and is the result of closing the new interest rate swaps for € 100 million having durations of between 5 and 7 years.
This financing, interest hedging and optimisation have caused the average financing cost of Intervest to decrease from 2,6% in 2017 to 2,4% in 2018.
This (re)financing shows the confidence that financial institutions have in Intervest and its strategy. They have led to an adequate spread of the expiry calendar of the long-term financing between 2019 and 2026, while duly regarding balance between cost price, duration and diversification of the financing sources.
Moreover, at year-end 2018, a buffer of € 113 million of non-withdrawn credit lines was available to finance committed acquisition projects in the pipeline in the amount of € 57 million, the repayment of the bond loan in the amount of € 25 million, which will expire as at 1 April 2019 and the dividend payment in May 2019. In January 2019, Intervest concluded additional financing with Triodos Bank, which is specialised in financing sustainable projects and undertakings, for an amount of € 25 million for a duration of 7 years.
The debt ratio of the company amounted to 43,5% as at 31 December 2018 (44,6% 31 December 2017). The decrease by 1,1% compared to 31 December 2017 was primarily the result of combining investments in the amount of € 195 million in investment properties, which amount was partly financed by borrowed capital and partly by financial resources from the capital increase and the optional dividend.
Because of this limited debt ratio of 43,5% as at 31 December 2018, approximately € 120 million can still be invested with borrowed capital before reaching the top of the strategic range of 45%-50%.
This solid capital structure was achieved by creating € 110 million in new capital by issuing 32% shares during the course of 2018 within the scope of the capital increase and the optional dividend with a success rate of 57,5%.
Other important characteristics of the financial structure as at the end of 2018 are:
• spread of credit facilities over seven European financial institutions and bond holders and a commercial paper program.
• ratio of 4,9 for 2018 (4,7 for 2017).
After having successfully achieved its objectives in 2018, Intervest will continue to work on its strategic growth plan regarding the reorientation of its office portfolio and expansion of the logistics real estate portfolio in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Permanent changes in the real estate and financial markets are the reason why Intervest carefully monitors its strategy and approach every year and refines it without affecting the essence in the process.
In 2019, Intervest will pursue its investment strategy and the company expects the real estate portfolio to expand to a fair value of € 1 billion by the end of 2019 and € 1,3 billion by the end of 2021.
In view of the great interest by investors in the logistics investment market and the relatively high prices in consequence of this, acquisitions in the logistics portfolio, will consist, just like in 2018, of a healthy mix of "more expensive" fully completed buildings with high-quality tenants having long-term lease agreements, and developments of real estate sites, which may or may not be fully leased in advance. The latter generate a higher yield in the portfolio, in which case, of course, the accompanying building and development risks will be closely monitored.
To achieve these developments, Intervest will examine the possibility of setting up spare land in the vicinity of its clusters already in existence in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The ratio of the two real estate segments in the portfolio as at 31 December 2018 amounted to 60% logistics real estate and 40% office buildings. In future the growth of the real estate portfolio will be realised primarily in the logistics real estate, both in Belgium and in the Netherlands. However, the office buildings will always comprise an essential part of the portfolio.
For 2019, Intervest already has three development projects in the pipeline in the Netherlands for an amount of € 57 million and an anticipated total rental income flow of approximately € 3,5 million per year (see chapter 1.4). These projects will be delivered over the course of 2019:
The logistics site in Zellik that Intervest acquired in December 2017 also offers the possibility of being redeveloped in 2019 or later. The site in Zellik is a strategic location on the Brussels periphery, located on the Antwerp - Brussels - Nivelles axis. The Brussels periphery remains a top location for Belgian logistics, both for national distribution and for rapid urban distribution. Intervest expects to accomplish a new state-of-the-art construction of approximately 29.000 m² of warehouse space plus accompanying offices.
In 2019 Intervest will also focus on developing the Genk Green Logistics project which will substantially contribute to achieving Intervest's growth plan in the future. The Vlaamse Waterweg will perform the remediation and demolition works there and set up the infrastructure. Intervest has started the commercialisation of the site of a total of 250.000 m² of logistics real estate and expects that it can have the first logistics building of approximately 20.000 m² started in the second half of 2019.
The market for logistic real estate is being further examined in Germany. Intervest will assess whether there are any possible investment opportunities that fit in with the strategy and that provide adequate added value.
With regard to the office portfolio, Intervest will only invest opportunistically in office buildings if the initial yield is attractive enough and the buildings provide the possibility of implementing the Greenhouse concept. Also some existing Intervest office buildings will in future also be converted into multi-tenant buildings with a service-targeted approach. In this way, Intervest continues its strategy of reorienting the office buildings into service-targeted inspiring working environments where working is an experience.
The objective to let the portfolio grow to € 1 billion by 31 December 2019 and to € 1,3 billion by the end of 2021 is subject to asset rotation in the office portfolio whereby smaller, detached, non-optimal or outdated office buildings where the Greenhouse concept is impossible, will be divested if there are sufficiently worthwhile opportunities to do so. Intervest also keeps the options open to divest logistics buildings that are not adequately suited for the current and future logistics market requirements of logistics players. After all, regular divestment is necessary to further improve the quality of the assets and to continuously rejuvenate the real estate portfolio.
The occupancy rate of the Intervest real estate portfolio was 93% as at 31 December 2018, 88% for the office buildings and 98% in the logistics portfolio.
Increasing tenant retention by extending lease duration continues to be the key challenge in the area of asset management, as does further stabilising and possibly improving the occupancy rate in the office segment. Intervest aims to keep the number of new leases, renewals and expansions in the office portfolio at a stable minimum. In January 2019, Intervest learned that its tenant PwC will leave the Woluwe Garden office building by the end of 2021. During the course of 2019, Intervest will examine the future possibilities for this building, regarding both the redevelopment into a Greenhouse site and divestment.
The evolution in the occupancy rate in the logistics segment will depend on matters such as the changes on the site in Opglabbeek. Tenant Medtronic has decided to close its logistics establishment in Opglabbeek. The annual rent for Medtronic represents 4% of Intervest's total contractual rental income. The first possibility to give notice for the agreement is 31 August 2022. Discussions are being conducted with Medtronic to further examine the options regarding any re-rental and/or early termination with the buying off of the lease agreement.
Intervest continues to permanently tap into changing market circumstances, adapt accordingly and combine this with solid real estate experience.
In the strategic move from the simple letting of square metres towards the provision of flexible solutions and extensive service provision, Intervest continues along that path with the concepts Greenhouse-hub and turn-key solutions: beyond real estate. Intervest can 'unburden' its customers and offer them added value by listening to what they want, by thinking along with them and by thinking ahead. Also in 2019 Intervest will again aim to enter new leases or to extend existing lease agreements and implement turn-key solutions: a fully bespoke solution, ranging from fitting-out plans and supervising the works to coordinating the relocation process, within a pre-set time frame and budget.
In accordance with Intervest's financing policy, the further growth of the real estate portfolio will be financed by a balanced combination of borrowed capital and shareholders' equity. In this regard, the debt ratio will remain within the strategic range of 45%-50% unless a distinct overheating of the logistics real estate market causes the fair value of the real estate portfolio to rise substantially, then the range will be adjusted downwards to 40%-45% for safety's sake.
At year-end 2018, Intervest had a buffer of € 113 million of non-withdrawn credit lines available to finance committed acquisition projects in the pipeline in the amount of € 57 million, the repayment of the bond loan in the amount of € 25 million, which will expire as at 1 April 2019 and the dividend payment in May 2019.
In January 2019, Intervest concluded additional financing with Triodos Bank, which is specialised in financing sustainable projects and companies, for an amount of € 25 million for a duration of 7 years. By doing so, further work is done to diversify financing sources and financing partners.
In 2019 only one loan that constitutes 6% of the credit facilities will need to be refinanced in the third quarter for a total amount of € 30 million.
To guarantee the company's further growth, issues of debt instruments and share issues for financing purposes will be examined and, where possible, will always be geared towards the real estate investments pipeline.
The gross dividend of € 1,40 per share that Intervest announced within the scope of its 2016- 2018 growth strategy is confirmed and will be presented to the general meeting of shareholders as at 24 April 2019.
Based on the current 2019-2021 strategic plan, Intervest expects that the real estate portfolio will grow to € 1 billion by the end of 2019 and to € 1,3 million by the end of 2021, with due regard of the possible divestment to improve the quality of the real estate portfolio.
For financial year 2019 Intervest foresees an annual grow of the EPRA earnings per share of 3%. Also from a strategic point of view, Intervest wants to keep sufficient liquid assets from the operational activities available in the company to develop the Greenhouse concept and other innovations and renovations in its buildings. It is for this reason that Intervest has decided to plan a gross dividend of minimum € 1,501 per share. This means a gross dividend yield of 7,3% based on the closing price of the share as at 31 December 2018, which amounted to € 20,60 and offers an average pay-out ratio of approximately 90%2 of the expected EPRA earnings.
This planned gross dividend can be increased if the circumstances relating to the planned investments and/or additional leases in the real estate portfolio, which lead to a further increase in the EPRA earnings, make it possible and expedient.
1 Subject to approval by the annual general meetings to be held in 2020.
2 Intervest Offices & Warehouses is a public regulated real estate company with a legal distribution obligation of at least 80% of the EPRA earnings, adjusted to non-cash flow elements. The gross dividend will always amount to 80% of this amount so that the RREC always comply to its legal obligations.
Also in 2019, Intervest focuses on sustainability in managing its plots and in conducting its own operations and it pays additional attention to the "5 Ps for sustainable enterprise": Planet, Peace, Partnership, Prosperity & People: attention for the environment, a care-free society, good understanding, technological progress and a healthy living environment.
Since 2009, Intervest has been systematically certifying the environmental performance of its buildings step by step, based on the internationally recognised BREEAM-In-Use assessment method. In 2019, Intervest will check which existing certificates can be renewed or what actions need to be taken to certify buildings that have not yet been certified.
Every effort is being made to achieve a BREEAM excellent to outstanding classification for new construction building projects in the Netherlands in which Intervest was involved from the start of the construction works already, such as in Roosendaal Braak or Gold Forum Eindhoven. With regard to the plots newly acquired in 2017 and 2018, Intervest is examining to what extent energy can be generated by photovoltaic installations on roofs.
In 2019, Intervest will also cooperate in Flux50, the joint venture between the Flemish government, the research sector and industry to make Flanders a "smart energy region". Together with, for example, Quares, Engie and Continental, Intervest forms part of the business consortium that will analyse the possibilities on the Mechelen Campus office site and its immediate vicinity to create a smart grid environment in the long term to be able to exchange power with one another.
With its Greenhouse formula, Intervest focuses on the community feeling in all Greenhouse locations between coworkers, tenants of serviced offices and traditional offices, as well as employees from the surrounding offices. The community events in the three Greenhouse locations will be further reinforced in 2019 by, for example, referring to an app that announces Greenhouse activities and that is also a CRM tool that provides the possibility to establish contact with new business relations. Intervest also plans to involve the Ubicenter office complex in Leuven, which was acquired in 2018, in the Greenhouse community feeling.
5.397.554 new Intervest shares have been issued pursuant to the capital increase in November 2018. All shares participate, in the same manner, in the results of Intervest and entitle the holders to the dividends granted by Intervest. However, the new shares were issued without coupon no. 21.
Coupon no. 21 was already detached as at 15 November 2018 and entitles the holder to a pro rata temporis dividend to the value of € 1,28 per share for the period from 1 January 2018 until 29 November 2018, inclusive.
Coupon no. 22 entitles the holder to a pro rata temporis dividend to the value of € 0,12 per share for the period from 30 November 2018 until 31 December 2018, inclusive. The ex-dividend date for coupon no. 22 is scheduled as at 3 May 2019.
Both coupons will, as expected and subject to approval by the general meeting of shareholders, be paid out from 21 May 2019.
The annual report for the financial year of 2018 will be available on the company's website (www.intervest.be) as from 22 March 2019.
Intervest Offices & Warehouses nv, (hereinafter Intervest), is a public regulated real estate company (RREC) founded in 1996 of which the shares are listed on Euronext Brussels (INTO) as from 1999. Intervest invests in high-quality Belgian office buildings and logistics properties that are leased to first-class tenants. The properties in which Intervest invests, consist primarily of up-to-date buildings that are strategically located in the city centre and outside municipal centres. The offices of the real estate portfolio are situated on the Antwerp - Mechelen - Brussels axis; the logistics properties on the Antwerp - Brussels - Nivelles and Antwerp - Limburg - Liège axis with further extensions in Belgium, the Netherlands and towards Germany. Intervest distinguishes itself when leasing space by offering more than square metres only. The company goes beyond real estate by offering 'turnkey solutions' (a tailor-made global solution for and with the customer), extensive services provisioning, co-working and serviced offices.
INTERVEST OFFICES & WAREHOUSES nv, public regulated real estate company under Belgian law, Jean-Paul SOLS - ceo or Inge TAS - cfo, T. + 32 3 287 67 87. https://www.intervest.be/en
| in thousands € | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Rental income | 47.920 | 43.349 |
| Rental-related expenses | -53 | -4 |
| NET RENTAL INCOME | 47.867 | 43.345 |
| Recovery of property charges | 729 | 881 |
| Recovery of rental charges and taxes normally payable by tenants on let properties |
9.919 | 12.864 |
| Costs payable by tenants and borne by the landlord for rental damage and refurbishment |
-529 | -375 |
| Rental charges and taxes normally payable by tenants on let properties | -9.919 | -12.864 |
| Other rental-related income and expenses | 606 | 117 |
| PROPERTY RESULT | 48.673 | 43.968 |
| Technical costs | -1.059 | -1.325 |
| Commercial costs | -166 | -252 |
| Charges and taxes on un-let properties | -587 | -634 |
| Property management costs | -4.019 | -3.544 |
| Other property charges | -563 | -407 |
| Property charges | -6.394 | -6.162 |
| OPERATING PROPERTY RESULT | 42.279 | 37.806 |
| General costs | -2.749 | -2.722 |
| Other operating income and costs | 24 | -7 |
| OPERATING RESULT BEFORE RESULT ON PORTFOLIO | 39.554 | 35.077 |
| Changes in fair value of investment properties | 7.033 | -7.274 |
| Other result on portfolio | -2.472 | -89 |
| OPERATING RESULT | 44.115 | 27.714 |
| Financial income | 45 | 161 |
| Net interest charges | -8.039 | -7.621 |
| Other financial charges | -11 | -7 |
| Changes in fair value of financial assets and liabilities (ineffective hedges) | -1.615 | 1.119 |
| Financial result | -9.620 | -6.348 |
| RESULT BEFORE TAXES | 34.495 | 21.366 |
| Taxes | -390 | -180 |
1 The statutory auditor has confirmed that his full audit, which has been substantially completed, has not revealed material adjustments which would have to be made to the accounting information disclosed in this press release and that an unqualified auditor's report will be issued.
| in thousands € | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| NET RESULT | 34.105 | 21.186 |
| Minority interests | -9 | 0 |
| NET RESULT - Group share | 34.114 | 21.186 |
| Note: | ||
| EPRA earnings | 31.168 | 27.430 |
| Result on portfolio | 4.561 | -7.363 |
| Changes in fair value of financial assets and liabilities (ineffective hedges) |
-1.615 | 1.119 |
| RESULT PER SHARE | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Number of shares at year-end | 24.288.997 | 18.405.624 |
| Number of dividend-entitled shares | 24.288.997 | 17.740.407 |
| Number of shares entitled to dividend coupon 21 | 18.891.443 | n/a |
| Number of shares entitled to dividend coupon 22 | 24.288.997 | n/a |
| Weighted average number of shares | 19.176.981 | 17.409.850 |
| Net result (€) | 1,78 | 1,22 |
| Diluted net result (€) | 1,78 | 1,22 |
| EPRA result (€) | 1,63 | 1,58 |
| in thousands € | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| NET RESULT | 34.105 | 21.186 |
| Other components of comprehensive income (recyclable through income statement) |
0 | 0 |
| COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | 34.105 | 21.186 |
| Attributable to: | ||
| Shareholders of the parent company | 34.114 | 21.186 |
| Minority interests | -9 | 0 |
| ASSETS in thousands € | 31.12.2018 | 31.12.2017 |
|---|---|---|
| NON-CURRENT ASSETS | 867.582 | 663.846 |
| Intangible assets | 508 | 501 |
| Investment properties | 866.504 | 662.539 |
| Other tangible assets | 400 | 611 |
| Financial non-current assets | 156 | 182 |
| Trade receivables and other non-current assets | 14 | 13 |
| CURRENT ASSETS | 19.582 | 15.572 |
| Trade receivables | 10.120 | 9.609 |
| Tax receivables and other current assets | 5.092 | 3.471 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1.972 | 728 |
| Deferred charges and accrued income | 2.398 | 1.764 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | 887.164 | 679.418 |
| SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES in thousands € | 31.12.2018 | 31.12.2017 |
| SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | 477.208 | 359.366 |
| Shareholders' equity attributable to shareholders of the parent company | 476.617 | 359.366 |
| Share capital | 219.605 | 167.720 |
| Share premium | 167.883 | 111.642 |
| Reserves | 55.015 | 58.818 |
| Net result financial year | 34.114 | 21.186 |
| Minority interests | 591 | 0 |
| LIABILITIES | 409.956 | 320.052 |
| Non-current liabilities | 297.951 | 255.584 |
| Non-current financial debts | 288.573 | 252.371 |
| Credit institutions | 253.725 | 192.675 |
| Bond loan | 34.848 | 59.696 |
| Other non-current financial liabilities | 3.460 | 2.020 |
| Other non-current liabilities | 3.010 | 1.001 |
| Deferred taxes - liabilities | 2.908 | 192 |
| Current liabilities | 112.005 | 64.468 |
| Current financial debts | 87.282 | 46.805 |
| Credit institutions | 30.631 | 46.805 |
| Commercial Paper | 30.000 | 0 |
| Bond loan | 24.983 | 0 |
| Financial lease | 1.668 | 0 |
| Other current financial liabilities | 152 | 3 |
| Trade debts and other current debts | 5.249 | 2.290 |
| Other current liabilities | 1.774 | 217 |
| Accrued charges and deferred income | 17.548 | 15.153 |
| TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | 887.164 | 679.418 |
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