VGP NV: Results for First Half 2021
August 30 2021 - 12:00PM
GlobeNewswire Inc.
VGP NV: Results for First Half 2021
30
August
2021,
6:00pm,
Antwerp, Belgium: VGP NV (‘VGP’ or ‘the Group’), a
European provider of high-quality logistics and semi-industrial
real estate, today announces the results for half-year ended 30
June 2021:
- Strong operating
performance resulting in a record net profit of €
203.8 million
- As of 30 June
2021, a total of 1,127,000 m2 under construction through 42
projects representing €69.4 million in additional annual rent once
fully built and let (81.3% pre-let)
- 426,000 m2 of
projects started up in 2H21 and a further 386,000 m2 are expected
be started up in the coming months (total construction portfolio
incl. to be started up 78% pre-let)
- 8.56 million m2
land bank owned or committed (+11.9% YTD)
- Total portfolio
value increased to €4.48 billion1 (+16.6%YTD)
- Our total signed
rental income grew with 21.9% over the first 8 months of 2021 to €
225.7 million as of 31 August 20212
- Strong delivery
pipeline of >550,000m2 expected for 2H213
- Anticipated
capex roll-forward is expected to be fully covered by net cash
proceeds from joint venture closings
- Advanced
discussions with Allianz regarding expansion of partnership through
launch of fourth joint venture ongoing; first joint venture has
reached investment target
- Strong cash
position with €469 million available on balance sheet and gearing
ratio at 30.4% as of 30 June 2021 following successful €600 million
green bond issue
VGP’s Chief Executive Officer,
Jan Van Geet,
said: “The breadth and depth of client engagement witnessed during
the first 8 months of 2021 – stronger than any prior year, buoyed
by strong market fundamentals on the foundation of our prime and
ready-to-build land bank. This has resulted in several iconic very
long-term new lease contracts getting signed. The conversion of
land bank into yielding assets for this period alone reflects a
portfolio growth of well over €1 billion once completed.”
Jan Van Geet added: “We are continuing to expand
our Corporate and Social Responsibility agenda, making each of our
countries, assets and over 300 employees active contributors to our
CSR objectives. Whilst our photovoltaic roll-out continues above
plan – with 133MWp in solar panel installations underway we will
soon produce sufficient solar energy to support 37,000 households.
On our brownfield sites in Giessen and Wiesloch, Germany, we are
now also planning our first large built-to-suit project earmarked
to receive the DGNB KlimaPositiv (CO2 neutral) certification.”
Jan Van Geet concluded: “Whilst I am very proud
of what has been achieved, at the same time we are looking forward
to the ambitious journey that lies ahead. We have several more
prestigious projects in our pipeline and we are working hard on
potentially starting up new countries both in East and Western
Europe. The VGP family keeps growing, aiming to be diverse and
inclusive, yet adhering to our core house principles of trying hard
to deliver exceptional client service in partnership with local
authorities and communities, whilst acting with integrity and
responsibility.” FINANCIAL AND OPERATING
HIGHLIGHTS
New leases
signed
- As of 30 June
2021, the signed and renewed rental income amounted to € 22.7
million driven by 417,000 m² of new lease agreements signed,
corresponding to € 21.4 million of new annualised rental income4,
whilst during same period for a total of 27,000 m² of lease
agreements were renewed corresponding to € 1.3 million of
annualised rental income which all related to the joint ventures5.
Terminations represented a total of €0.8 million or 15,000 m², all
within the joint ventures’ portfolio
- The signed
annualised committed leases represent € 205.7 million6 (equivalent
to 3.6 million m² of lettable area), a 11.1% increase since
December 2020
- Leasing
activity has continued strongly into H2 2021 with over € 20 million
of additional contracts signed in the first few weeks of the new
reporting period bringing total annualised rental income to € 225.7
million (+21.9% YTD) as of 31 August 2021
- Leasing
activity year-to-date has been strong across the board with
increased demand from a broad range of tenants. From a geographical
perspective, Germany contributed circa half of new leases and
particular strong activity was noted in Czech Republic, Hungary and
Spain
Construction
activity
- A total of 42
projects under construction which will create 1,127,000 m² of
future lettable area, representing €69.4 million of annualised
leases once built and fully let – the portfolio under construction
is 81.3% pre-let
- During the first
6 months of 2021 a total of 5 projects were completed delivering
81,000 m² of lettable area, representing €4.2 million of annualised
committed leases. Several other projects currently under
construction are scheduled for delivery in the coming months
resulting in a delivery pipeline of >550,000m2 expected for H2
2021
- Another 17
construction projects representing 426,000 m2 of gross lettable
area have since been started up in 2H 2021 and a further 8
construction projects (representing 386,000 m2 of gross lettable
area) are expected to be started up in the coming months (total
construction portfolio incl. to be started up 78% pre-let)
- Whilst
construction costs are trending upwards this has been offset
through higher rental prices and lower yields
Land bank has continued to expand
- Acquisition of
0.80 million m² of development land and a further 2.99 million m2
committed subject to permits which brings the remaining total owned
and committed land bank for development to 8.56 million m², which
supports 3.93 million m² of future lettable area
- A further 4.01
million m² of new land plots have been identified and secured which
are under due diligence and have a development potential of 1.64
million m² of future lettable area. This brings the land bank of
owned, committed and secured to 12.58 million
m2
Renewable Energy
- A total solar
power generation capacity of 61.8MWp is currently installed or
under construction through 52 roof-projects. The total anticipated
energy production equates to circa 55,000 MWh. This is being
realised through a €31.1 million investment to date
- In addition,
the pipeline includes 33 solar power projects identified which
equates to an additional power generation capacity of 71 MWp. For
these projects we expect the installation works to commence in the
coming months
Completion of the 8th
closing with the first
joint
venture and
expansion of partnership with
Allianz anticipated through
launch of fourth
joint
venture with Allianz Real
Estate
- On 16 June 2021
VGP announced the successful eighth closing with its 50:50 joint
venture, VGP European Logistics (‘First Joint Venture’). The
transaction comprised of four logistic buildings, including two
buildings in two VGP parks and another two newly completed logistic
buildings which were developed in parks previously transferred to
the Joint Venture. The transaction value was € 68.2 million7 and
net proceeds from this transaction amounted to circa € 49.6
million. This was the last closing with the First Joint Venture to
include new parks as, with this eighth closing, the First Joint
Venture has reached its expanded investment target. The First Joint
Venture will maintain its existing portfolio with VGP continuing to
act as property, facility and asset manager
- Advanced
discussion between VGP and Allianz Real Estate with regards to the
setup of a new joint venture similar in form to the first two joint
ventures and with the identical geographical remit as the First
Joint Venture are progressing well and expected to be finalized in
the coming period. An initial closing for the seed portfolio is
expected to follow shortly thereafter
- The First Joint
Venture is expected to upstream a circa €20 million amount in
September 2021
Capital and liquidity position
- On 31 March
2021, VGP announced the successful issue of a first benchmark
international green bond for an aggregate nominal amount of € 600
million, for coupon of 1.50% p.a. and maturing on 8 April 2029.
Demand exceeded 2.7 times the volume of the issue. The proceeds
from this issuance are being used to fund the majority pre-let
development pipeline, the build out of renewable energy assets and
the design and development of new green logistics and
semi-industrial parks
- In addition to
the net proceeds from the last joint venture closing we have been
able to maintain our financial purchasing power and to be able to
finance the investment pipeline and to benefit from additional
investment opportunities
Progress towards our Sustainable Development
Goals
- In addition to
the reported successful roll-out of our renewable energy
investments we have made significant progress towards our other
Sustainable Development Goals in the first half of 2021. In order
to allow transparent reporting on the progress on our ESG
initiatives we have, in addition to our annual CDP disclosure and
our Corporate Responsibility Reporting in accordance with GRI
Standards, we participated in the 2021 GRESB (Global Real Estate
Sustainability Benchmark) assessment and initiated a Sustainalytics
rating process
Outlook
- It is with
confidence that we look at the second half of 2021 and beyond.
Following the strong leasing activities as reported over the last
few months development activities should continue to operate at
elevated levels during the upcoming period. We expect technological
changes and e-commerce to continue to be an important driver for
demand across our platform. Our existing land bank provides the
foundation for growth over the coming years and VGP expects to be
able to continue expanding its rental income and property portfolio
through the completion and start-up of new building projects in the
second half of 2021
- Continued focus
on expansion of photovoltaic installations and service offering of
VGP Renewable Energy, facilitating our clients in managing their
carbon footprint
- Finally, we
expect to be able to announce the details of a new joint venture
with Allianz Real Estate in the coming period
KEY FINANCIAL METRICS
Operations and results |
H1 2021 |
H1 2020 |
Change (%) |
Committed annualised rental income (€mm) |
205.7 |
165.2 |
27.8% |
IFRS Operating profit (€mm) |
240.0 |
217.9 |
10.1% |
IFRS net profit (€mm) |
203.8 |
196.9 |
3.5% |
IFRS earnings per share (€ per share) |
9.90 |
10.19 |
(2.8)% |
Portfolio and balance sheet |
30 Jun 21 |
31 Dec
20 |
Change (%) |
Portfolio value, including joint venture at 100% (€mm) |
4,480 |
3,843 |
16.6% |
Portfolio value, including joint venture at share (€mm) |
2,966 |
2,468 |
20.2% |
Occupancy ratio of standing portfolio (%) |
99.4 |
98.5 |
- |
EPRA NTA per share (€ per share) |
73.37 |
65.78 |
11.5% |
IFRS NAV per share (€ per share) |
69.69 |
63.44 |
9.6% |
Net financial debt (€mm) |
909.5 |
560.9 |
62.1% |
Gearing8(%) |
30.4 |
25.2 |
- |
AUDIO WEBCAST FOR INVESTORS AND
ANALYSTS
VGP will host an audio webcast
at
10:30
(CEST)
on 31 August
2021
Webcast link:
-
https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1490414&tp_key=4b56f881dc
- Click on the
link above to attend the presentation from your laptop, tablet or
mobile device. Audio will stream through your selected device
- Please join the
event audio webcast 5-10 minutes prior to the start time
A presentation will be available on VGP website:
https://www.vgpparks.eu/en/investors/publications/
CONTACT DETAILS FOR INVESTORS
AND MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Martijn Vlutters (VP – Business Development & Investor
Relations) |
Tel: +32 (0)3 289 1433 |
Petra Vanclova (External Communications) |
Tel: +42 0 602 262 107 |
Anette NachbarBrunswick Group |
Tel: +49 152 288 10363 |
ABOUT VGP
VGP is a pan-European developer, manager and
owner of high-quality logistics and semi-industrial real estate.
VGP operates a fully integrated business model with capabilities
and longstanding expertise across the value chain. The company has
a development land bank (owned or committed) of 8.56 million m² and
the strategic focus is on the development of business parks.
Founded in 1998 as a Belgian family-owned real estate developer in
the Czech Republic, VGP with a staff of c. 300 employees today owns
and operates assets in 11 European countries directly and through
several 50:50 joint ventures. As of June 2021, the Gross Asset
Value of VGP, including the joint ventures at 100%, amounted to €
4.48 billion and the company had a Net Asset Value (EPRA NTA) of €
1.51 billion. VGP is listed on Euronext Brussels and on the Prague
Stock Exchange (ISIN: BE0003878957).
For more information, please visit:
http://www.vgpparks.eu
Forward-looking statements:
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such
statements reflect the current views of management regarding future
events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause actual results to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. VGP is
providing the information in this press release as of this date and
does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements contained in this press release considering new
information, future events or otherwise. The information in this
announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or an invitation
to buy securities in VGP or an invitation or inducement to engage
in any other investment activities. VGP disclaims any liability for
statements made or published by third parties and does not
undertake any obligation to correct inaccurate data, information,
conclusions or opinions published by third parties in relation to
this or any other press release issued by VGP.
1 Including of Joint Ventures at 100% 2 incl. of
Joint Ventures at 100%. As of 30 Jun ’21: €22.7 million worth of
signed and renewed lease agreements with total annualised rental
income of € 205.7 million (+11.1% YTD) 3 Delivered 5 projects with
81,000 m² of lettable area during 1H 2021. Several other projects
currently under construction are scheduled for delivery in the
coming months4 Of
which 367,000 m² (€ 18.1 million) related to the own
portfolio5 Joint ventures refers to
VGP European Logistics, VGP European Logistics 2 and VGP Park
München, All three 50:50 joint ventures with Allianz Real Estate6
For joint venture at 100%7 The transaction value is composed of the
purchase price for the completed income generating buildings and
the net book value of the development pipeline which is transferred
as part of a closing but not yet paid for by the First Joint
Venture.8 Calculated as Net debt / Total equity and liabilities
- VGP_H12021 Interim Financial Statements - EN
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