Warehouses De Pauw SA (WDPSF) (Q2 2024) Earnings Call Highlights: Strategic Investments and ...

In This Article:

  • New Investments: EUR500 million at an average yield of 7%.

  • Loan-to-Value and Net Debt to EBITDA: 6.8x.

  • Portfolio Value: More than EUR7 billion.

  • Expected Earnings: EUR1.47, a 5% increase from last year.

  • Total Investment Pipeline: More than EUR850 million.

  • Occupancy Rate: Stable.

  • Rent Indexation: Increased by more than 3%.

  • Positive Rent Reversion: 15% on 100,000 square meters, totaling 200,000 square meters for the year.

  • Reversionary Potential: Portfolio is 12% under rented.

  • Energy Projects: Target of 350 million megawatt peak of solar panels; 82 megawatt peaks in development.

  • Battery Park Investment: EUR65 million for 660 megawatts in Genk.

  • Liquidity: EUR2 billion.

  • Annual Total Return (25 years): 15% per year.

  • EPRA Earnings Growth (25 years): 7% per year.

  • NAV Growth (25 years): 8% per year.

Release Date: July 26, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Warehouses De Pauw SA (WDPSF) achieved EUR500 million in new investments with an average yield of 7%, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.

  • The company maintains a strong balance sheet with a loan-to-value and net debt to EBITDA ratio of 6.8x, supporting its growth strategy.

  • WDPSF's investment pipeline is well-diversified across regions, with over 70% in Western Europe, enhancing its geographical footprint.

  • The company has successfully indexed leases by more than 3% and achieved a positive rent reversion of 15% on 200,000 square meters, indicating strong rental growth potential.

  • WDPSF is advancing its energy projects, aiming for 350 million megawatt peak of solar panels, and is developing a significant battery park in Genk, showcasing its commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

Negative Points

  • The company faces challenges with a slight decline in occupancy rates, now below 98%, which is the lowest since the first half of 2019.

  • There are concerns about sluggish occupier demand, particularly in consumer-driven sectors like fashion and FMCG, which could impact future growth.

  • WDPSF experienced a 12.5% decline in solar income, attributed to both weather conditions and pricing mix, affecting its renewable energy revenue.

  • The development pipeline has a pre-letting rate of 77%, with some projects, like the one in Kerkrade, having lower pre-letting rates, posing potential risks.

  • The cost of debt is expected to rise to around 2% by the end of 2024, which could impact the company's financial flexibility.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you comment on the yield achieved in Germany and the Netherlands? A: In the Netherlands, the yield is 6% on the forward funding deal and 7% on development. In Germany, it's 5% net. (Joost Uwents, Co-CEO; Mickael Van de Hauwe, CFO)