Hysan Development Company (00014) H2 2023 Earnings Call February 22, 2024 04:00 AM ET Speaker0 Thank you all for coming to Hyphen Development twenty twenty three Annual Results Announcement Analyst Briefing Session. Let me introduce our panel for this afternoon. Our Chairman, Ms. Irene Nie our Executive Director and COO, Mr. Rick Keeloy and our CFO, Mr. Roger Hao. I will start today's session with a presentation from Irene, Ricky and Roger, and we will follow that with time to take questions. And now let's ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for the company was $460 million, a decrease of 4.1% year-on-year [14] - Underlying profit was $129 million, down by 6.6% [14] - Dividend per share remained flat at $1.44 [14][33] - Year-end occupancy rates were 99% for retail, 90% for office, and 61% for residential [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail turnover increased to $43 million, up by 1.4%, with occupancy at 99% [15] - Office turnover decreased to $1.578 billion, down by 8.7%, with occupancy at 90% [16] - The retail sector showed improvement in the second half of 2022, while the office sector faced challenges due to structural changes accelerated by COVID-19 [15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall retail market showed resilience during the COVID period, with expectations of increased spending as Hong Kong recovers [16] - The office market faced pressure from global economic uncertainties and increased supply, leading to a vacancy rate of about 10%, lower than the average for Hong Kong Grade A offices [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on strategic execution with an emphasis on financial discipline, risk management, and dynamic asset enhancement [5] - Plans for rejuvenating the Lee Gardens area include integrating the community and enhancing urban vibrancy [10][12] - The company aims to develop premium Grade A office space and a Lifestyle Park, targeting completion by 2026 [10][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management acknowledged ongoing challenges from the pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and inflation but expressed optimism about the recovery of Hong Kong's economy [13] - The reopening of borders is expected to revive Hong Kong's status as a financial and tourist hub, with a positive long-term outlook for the company [13] Other Important Information - The company has issued the largest green loan in Hong Kong for the Caroline Hill project, amounting to $1 billion, with total sustainable finance transactions reaching $19.3 billion, representing 48% of total debt [32][31] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the expectation on rental reversion trend for retail in FY 2023? - Management noted that the general climate has improved since the border reopened, with positive sentiment reflected in tenant inquiries and rental negotiations [38][40] Question: What is the capital expenditure plan for FY 2023? - The capital expenditure for 2023 is expected to be between HKD 500 million to HKD 1 billion, factoring in ongoing asset enhancement initiatives [43] Question: How is retail sales trending in February post China's reopening? - Retail tenant sales in January showed a mid-teen positive growth year-on-year, indicating a rebound in sales [47] Question: Are we seeing any signs of an increase in office demand post reopening? - Management indicated that while there is new supply in the market, Lee Gardens remains a competitive destination for office tenants due to its community and facilities [50][52] Question: Have we experienced any cap rate expansions? - There has been no change in cap rates, with independent valuers not seeing immediate pressure to adjust them [53] Question: What are the thoughts on new share issuance to lower the company's gearing ratio? - Management stated that current gearing is within industry norms, and there is no immediate need for new capital issuance [56]