2025-07-30 09:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The core rental business revenue decreased by 3%, which was anticipated at the beginning of the year, with hopes for improvement in the second half [8][10] - Overall revenue contribution from property sales and hotel business accounted for 33% of total revenue, down by 6% [9][10] - The net gearing of Hang Lung Properties stood at 33.5%, reflecting a slight increase of 0.1% compared to December [35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Rental revenue in Mainland China decreased by 1% in the first half of 2025, an improvement from a 4% decline in 2024 [12][10] - Retail business remained flat compared to a 3% decline in 2024, with seven out of ten projects showing positive revenue growth [13][14] - The office segment continued to face challenges, with a decline of 4% in rental revenue [28][30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Hong Kong's rental revenue saw a decline of 4%, but residential and service apartment rentals improved by 11% [32][30] - The overall sales in Hong Kong decreased by 2%, which is better than the market average decline of 4% [33][32] - The luxury retail segment reported a decline of 12%, while non-luxury sales increased by 8% [97] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on enhancing its retail offerings and tenant management to adapt to the evolving retail landscape [17][19] - A national program is being launched to improve operational efficiency and attract customers in second-tier cities [17] - The company is exploring hybrid models for expansion, particularly in cities where it already has a presence [65] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the stability and potential uplift in the market, particularly in the second half of the year [6][10] - The sentiment in the property sector has stabilized, which may lead to mild growth in tenant sales [66][71] - The company is committed to maintaining its dividend policy, with intentions to return to a cash dividend structure after the Westlake 66 Mall opens [88][89] Other Important Information - The company has increased its focus on renewable energy, with 80% of its projects in Mainland China now powered by renewable sources [41] - The company is actively working on several projects, including the Westlake 66 Mall, which is expected to enhance its market position [44][49] Q&A Session Summary Question: Future expansion using asset-light models - Management indicated that future expansions will depend on demand and synergy with existing projects, emphasizing a holistic approach [64][65] Question: Tenant sales trends in the next twelve months - Management anticipates a potential improvement in tenant sales, moving from a negative trend to mild growth in the second half of the year [66][71] Question: Reasons for improvement in the second quarter - The improvement was attributed to increased occupancy and traffic, along with external factors such as stock market stabilization [70][71] Question: Dividend policy for the full year - Management intends to maintain the current dividend structure, with a focus on not cutting dividends unless absolutely necessary [76][88] Question: Thoughts on issuing convertible bonds - The CFO expressed caution regarding dilutive instruments, noting that the company is not considering issuing convertible bonds at this time [78][79] Question: Progress on transitioning properties - Management reported improvements in occupancy rates and is focused on enhancing the tenant mix to attract customers [79][82]