He expands that portfolio committed occupancy remains robust at 96.8%, and same-store portfolio valuation grew approximately 3% y-o-y, driven by higher valuations for its Singapore properties, with Australian dollar appreciation partly offsetting slightly higher capitalisation rates in Australia.
The more exciting medium-term catalyst, comments Natarajan, lies in AA REIT's Australian assets. Its Macquarie Park and Bella Vista properties were recently endorsed by authorities as part of 15 data centre projects, and management is undertaking feasibility studies into the potential development of hyperscale data centres.
"The projects — if they materialise — could boost NAV (net asset value) by approximately 10% – 20%," says Natarajan, though he expects the process is likely to take two to three years. AA REIT is currently in preliminary talks with potential joint venture partners to explore these value-unlocking opportunities.
According to Natarajan, one key earnings driver over FY2027 – FY2029 will be savings from perpetual securities refinancing, with the REIT having issued $250 million in new perpetual securities to redeem $250 million of higher-coupon perpetuals in September, generating approximately $3 million per annum in savings.
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Combined with positive rent reversions, which are expected to moderate to 3% – 5% in FY2027 from 7.7% in FY2026, Natarajan forecasts a FY2027–FY2029 DPU compound annual growth rate of approximately 4%, with DPU rising from 10 cents in FY2026 to 11 cents in FY2028 and FY2029.
Natarajan also lifted AA REIT's ESG premium to 6% from 4%, citing a 40% increase in solar power capacity to 15.5 MWp in FY2026 and over 60% of new and renewed leases being classified as green leases.
Before the midday break on May 12, shares in AA REIT were trading at a flat $1.56.
