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uSMART initiates ‘buy’ on Centurion Corp citing ‘superior margins, structural demand and REIT-driven monetisation'

Felicia Tan
Felicia Tan • 2 min read
uSMART initiates ‘buy’ on Centurion Corp citing ‘superior margins, structural demand and REIT-driven monetisation'
One of Centurion's PBWA dorms, marketed under its Westlite brand. Photo: Albert Chua/The Edge Singapore
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uSMART analyst Ng Xin Yang has initiated “buy” on Centurion Corporation with a target price of $1.80 citing its “superior margins, structural demand and scalable REIT-driven monetisation”.

The company’s spin-off listing, Centurion Accommodation REIT (CAREIT), crystallised $1.8 billion of stabilised assets, turning Centurion Corporation into a sponsor-operator model with recurring management fees and clearer asset valuation, Ng notes in his report dated Nov 5.

Following its listing, CAREIT’s gearing of about 31% offers a headroom of $559 million, while Centurion Corporation retains strategic unitholding and right of first refusal (ROFR) rights of over $2.6 billion pipeline assets, which will support future asset injections and a potential re-rating in valuation, Ng adds.

In FY2024 ended Dec 31, 2024, Centurion Corporation reported a revenue of $253.6 million, 22% higher y-o-y, sustaining a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24% since FY2021 thanks to rental escalation and capacity expansion, notably the launch of its purpose-built worker accommodation (PBWA), Westlite Ubi.

The company’s core business profit surged by 45% y-o-y to $110.8 million with gross margins up by 500 basis points (bps) to 77% on operating leverage.

In 1HFY2025, Centurion’s revenue rose by 13% y-o-y to $140.7 million while core net profit increased by 22% y-o-y to $65.4 million.

See also: uSMART initiates ‘buy’ on Food Empire with target price of $2.97

To Ng, the company’s revenue visibility remains strong with a pipeline of 6,100 beds, which includes Westlite Toh Guan and Westlite Mandai, which will add 1,764 beds and 3,696 beds respectively, as well as a 722-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) in Sydney.

Expectations of a dip in revenue in FY2026 will reflect the deconsolidation of the REIT and not weaker operations as fee income and distributions emerge as new growth levers, says the analyst.

“[Centurion Corporation’s] pivot toward an asset-light, fee-based model enhances returns and supports sustained multiple expansion,” he notes.

Shares in Centurion closed 1 cent higher or 0.73% up at $1.39 on Oct 6.

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