RNS Number : 7336G
  Standard Life Invs Property Inc Tst
  27 October 2008
   

    STANDARD LIFE INVESTMENTS PROPERTY INCOME TRUST LIMITED
    30 September 2008

    Net Asset Value Announcement

    The unaudited net asset value per ordinary share of Standard Life Investments Property Income Trust Limited at 30 September 2008 was
87.2 pence. This is a decrease of 14.1 percentage points over the net asset value of 101.6 pence per share at 30 June 2008.  

    The net asset value is calculated under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and includes a provision for payment of a
proposed interim dividend of 1.69p per ordinary share for the quarter to 30 September 2008.

    The net asset value incorporates the external portfolio valuation by Jones Lang LaSalle at 30 September 2008. The property portfolio
will next be valued by an external valuer during December 2008 and the next quarterly net asset value will be published thereafter.  

    Breakdown of NAV movement

    Set out below is a breakdown of the change to the unaudited net asset value per share calculated under IFRS over the period 30 June 2008
to 30 September 2008.

                                             Pence per share  % of opening NAV
 Net Asset Value per share as at 30 June               101.6                 -
 2008
 Unrealised loss following revaluation of
 property portfolio (including the effect             (11.5)           (11.3%)
 of gearing)
 Decrease in interest rate swap valuation              (2.8)            (2.7%)
 Other movement in reserves                            (0.1)            (0.1%)
 Net Asset Value per share as at 30                     87.2           (14.1%)
 September 2008 

    The ungeared decrease in the valuation of the property portfolio over the quarter to 30 September 2008 was 7.6%.  

    Total asset analysis as at 30 September 2008 (unaudited)

                              �m      %
 Office                     33.3   17.5
 Retail                     43.2   22.6
 Industrial                 49.7   26.0
 Other                      18.6    9.8
 Total Property Portfolio  144.8   75.9
 Cash                       43.3   22.7
 Other Assets                2.7    1.4
 Total Gross Assets        190.8  100.0


    Cash position

    As at 30 September 2008, the Company has borrowings of �84.4m and a cash position of �43.3m (excluding rent deposits) therefore cash as
a percentage of debt was 51.3%.

    Loan to value ratio

    As at 30 September 2008 the loan to value ratio after taking account of the cash offset was 28.3%. The gearing level was 33.7% (bank
borrowings plus zero dividend preference share liability less cash divided by property portfolio).
    Breakdown in valuation movements over the period 30 June 2008 to 30 September 2008

                                  Exposure as at 30       Capital Value       �m
                                  September 2008 (%)   Movement on Standing
                                                          Portfolio (%)
 External Valuation at 30/06/08                                              156.7
 Sub Sector Analysis:
 RETAIL
 South East Standard Retail              4.6                   -2.2          -0.1
 Retail Warehouses                       18.4                  -7.4          -2.1

 OFFICES
 Central London Offices                  10.7                  -7.6          -1.3
 South East Offices                      6.7                   -4.6          -0.5
 Rest of UK Offices                      12.4                  -5.8          -1.1

 INDUSTRIAL
 South East Industrial                   7.1                   -7.5          -0.8
 Rest of UK Industrial                   27.3                 -10.1          -4.5

 OTHER                                   12.8                  -7.5          -1.5

 External Valuation at 30/09/08          100                   -7.6          144.8




    Investment Manager Commentary 

    UK Property Market

    The re-pricing of UK property continued throughout the third quarter. Uncertainty and heightened risk aversion resulting from the
ongoing credit market problems are having a significant impact on sentiment and overall confidence in the sector. All property recorded
-4.8% in the three months to end September which was a further decline on last quarters -2.7% return. Given the continuing financing
constraints, elevated uncertainty and projected impact on the real economy, capital values are likely to continue to fall further. At the
same time, deteriorating occupier markets will lead to falling rental levels. Both of these factors are likely to result in a further
challenging period ahead for property investors. 

    Although volatility remains heightened, returns in the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT UK listed sector improved to 3.4% over the quarter. This was
also the case in the offshore sector which recorded -1% (approx) on average in quarter 3. The listed sector remains on a significant
discount to current NAV of greater than 30% on average, pricing in further falls in capital values. 

    Rents fell during the quarter at the All Property level in the 3 months to end July and also in the 3 months to end August and to end
September. These are the first quarterly declines in rents recorded by the monthly IPD index since late 2003 and this reflects deteriorating
tenant demand in all the sectors and increased occupier caution. As a result of the weakening economic fundamentals, voids have generally
risen from the start of the year. Voids currently stand at 9.3% and the largest proportional increase has been in the industrials sector
with the void rate now at 12.6%. As anticipated, over the quarter, secondary assets yields increased by a larger percentage than higher
quality assets. This is a trend that we expect to continue.  

    Investment Outlook

    With the economic fundamentals deteriorating sharply as a result of the prolonged and sustained credit market problems, the anticipated
challenging year of negative returns ahead is likely to be worse again still due to increased risk aversion, frozen wholesale lending
markets, the associated banking woes and the consequent knock-on effects for the economy. It is likely that the duration of the downturn may
be more prolonged and sustained than the market had generally been expecting last quarter. The government measures to support the banking
sector should help reduce uncertainty somewhat and will hopefully re-build confidence. It is debatable whether the measures go far enough
and it may be some time yet before credit markets return to a semblance of normality. 

    In the context of the continuing financial market problems, the read across for the 'real' economy
    is that economic prospects have deteriorated further and recent economic data bears this out. For example, the sharp contraction in the
manufacturing and service sector in August along with forward looking data suggests that these trends will continue. The downside risks to
our forecasts crystallised further over the quarter and as widespread de-leveraging continues at both a consumer and corporate level it is
likely that investment and expansion decisions are likely to be reduced further. Occupier demand, particularly in the volatile Central
London markets has weakened markedly over the quarter and already generous incentive packages have increased further. This is also the case
for vacancy rates which although starting at relatively low levels have moved out again over the quarter. In the current challenging
environment we continue to expect single digit returns over the next few years, mainly resulting from properties stable income return and
economic recovery in 2010.  


    Portfolio commentary

    Q3 was a disappointing quarter. The property portfolio decline of 7.6% was worse than the IPD monthly index of -6.2%. The main reason
for the underperformance was that one of our larger tenants, Innovate, went into administration. The tenant was assessed by D&B as a 5A1
covenant, low risk tenant right up until it went into administration. Innovate operated a logistics business specialising in frozen foods,
and operated from the Company's holding in Scunthorpe. We have secured income until early 2009 at the contracted rate, and agreed terms to
sell the building to an operator who has purchased part of the Innovate business, but the value reflects vacant possession values. This one
problem alone knocked 1.5% off returns for the quarter, but no further write downs on the property are expected. We also suffered on one of
our larger properties in London, where the market rent for the cinema has been reduced by the valuers from the level Cineworld offered
before the OFT ruling, to a level that reflects current interest. The Company's valuers have also taken a cautious stance on a number of short leases / imminent break clauses, which we think is
appropriate in the current market. Unfortunately, these hits coincided with an adverse SWAP movement. 

    Despite the poor quarter we continue to concentrate on protecting capital values where we can, and maximising current and future income.
No purchases were made during the quarter, as we believe that holding 23% of the fund in cash is still the right thing to do until we see
real value. Whilst transaction volumes are low, and pricing under severe pressure, we have also not marketed any property for sale. We have
however, completed on the sale of a 0.4 acre plot of land in Witham to the adjoining owner, and agreed terms for the sale of a cold store
unit in Scunthorpe. 

    Terms have also been agreed to let the vacant office suite at White Bear Yard, for a lease renewal in Queen St Bristol, and rent review
settlements in Skelmersdale and Bathgate. The Company had exposure to MFI and Ethel Austin (one unit each) and in both cases the management
buy out from the administrator has confirmed they want the unit included in their retained stores. We did not have such luck with the unit
let to Yates, and have commenced marketing of the unit. 

    For Q4 the focus remains on protecting the income stream as we expect a difficult environment for occupiers. We will continue to look
for opportunistic purchases where we believe there are forced sellers. The Company is in good shape to weather the storm, and the high cash
weighting gives it flexibility, we do not want to do anything to weaken this position and retain a cautious outlook.
    All Enquiries:
    The Company Secretary
    Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Ltd
    Trafalgar Court
    Les Banques
    GY1 3Q1

    Tel: 01481 745439
    Fax: 01481 745085



    APENDIX 1

    Historical adjusted IFRS NAVs per Ordinary Share are as follows:

 30/09/08    87.24p  
 30/06/08  101.59p   
 31/03/08  102.71p   
 31/12/07  111.60p   
 30/09/07  130.70p   
 30/06/07  137.16p   
 31/03/07  134.42p   
 31/12/06  132.68p   
 30/09/06  129.51p   
 30/06/06  130.20p   
 31/03/06  124.28p   
 31/12/05  116.46p   
 30/09/05  107.12p   
 30/06/05  103.88p   
 31/03/05  101.34p   
 31/12/04    99.00p  


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
  END 
 
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