CapitaLand Ascendas REIT：凯德腾飞房地产投资信托（CAPD.SI）：拟以7亿新元收购新加坡数据中心和商业园区；买入-20250530

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for CapitaLand Ascendas REIT (CLAR) with an unchanged DDM-based target price of S$3.06, indicating a potential upside of 17.2% from the current price of S$2.61 [2][11]. Core Insights - The proposed acquisition of 9 Tai Seng Drive (data center) and 5 Science Park Drive (business park) for S$700 million is expected to yield a net property income (NPI) yield of 7.2% and 6.1% respectively, with a projected DPU accretion of 1.36% for FY24 on a pro forma basis [1][2][6]. - The acquisition aligns with the strategic goal of deepening CLAR's presence in Singapore and the data center sector, expanding its Singapore portfolio from 65% to 67% of assets under management (AUM) and increasing its data center portfolio by 83% to over S$1 billion [2][10]. - Management plans to prioritize redevelopment and seek further acquisition opportunities in Singapore, Europe, and the US, while also working on divestments exceeding S$300 million for the remainder of the year [2][10]. Financial Overview - The acquisition will be funded through a combination of debt and net proceeds from a private placement of at least S$500 million, with expected gearing post-acquisition at 38.6%, slightly above the coverage average of 38.4% as of March 2025 [6][10]. - The first-year NPI yield for 9 Tai Seng Drive is projected at 7.2% before transaction costs, while 5 Science Park Drive is expected to yield 6.1% [6][10]. - The properties are currently under-rented by approximately 30% and 15% compared to market rates, indicating potential for rental uplift [10].