SCentre Exceeds Guidance As Shoppers Returned To Malls

23 February 2023

Scentre Group released its results for the 12 months to 31 December 2022 with Funds From Operations (FFO) of $1,040 million (20.06 cents per security), up 20.6%, and Distribution of 15.75 cents per security, up 10.5%, both exceeding guidance.

Scentre Group CEO Elliott Rusanow said: ā€œI am very pleased with these results, driven by the Groupā€™s strong operating performance and proactive customer strategy to attract more people to our Westfield destinations.

ā€œIn 2022 we activated more than 15,400 events across our portfolio of 42 Westfield destinations and welcomed 480 million customer visits, up 67 million on 2021. So far in 2023 we have welcomed approximately 70 million customer visits, an increase of more than 10 million compared to the same period in 2022.

ā€œOur focus on driving more customer visits was fundamental to our business partners achieving sales of $26.7 billion, up 21.0% compared to 2021, which represents a record level of sales across our Westfield portfolio.

ā€œDemand from businesses to partner with us by leasing space and accessing customers in our destinations is strong. The Group completed a record 3,409 lease deals during the year, an increase of 912 on the year prior. This included 2,232 renewals and 1,177 new merchants, of which 288 are new brands to our portfolio. This has resulted in portfolio occupancy increasing to 98.9% at 31 December 2022, up from 98.7% at the end of 2021.

ā€œNet Operating Cashflows (after interest, overheads and tax) were $1,181 million, an increase of 29.3% on 2021. We collected $2,592 million in gross rent in 2022, $334 million more than 2021. This is the highest level of rental cash collection since Scentre Group was established.ā€

The Statutory result for the full year was $301 million (including unrealised property revaluation gains of $79 million and $(716) million of unrealised mark-to-market adjustments on financial derivatives).

Scentre Group continues to invest in its Westfield destinations to enhance the customer offer and experience. Stage 1 of the $355 million investment in Westfield Knox (SCG share: $178 million) including new Woolworths and ALDI supermarkets opened in December 2022 and is trading well. The remaining stages of the development will be opened throughout 2023, transforming the centre for our customers through new and innovative community uses.

The $55 million investment (SCG Share: $28 million) at Westfield Mt Druitt opened in March 2022, including a new rooftop dining, entertainment and leisure precinct, featuring 15 restaurants and indoor-outdoor spaces for the community. The upgrade has driven significant improvements to visitation and dwell time.

In November 2022 a $33 million investment at Westfield Penrith was completed, including the introduction of new casual dining experiences, a Coles supermarket and an entertainment precinct.

The $33 million investment in Westfield Parramatta opened in December 2022 including a new fresh food precinct featuring Coles, ALDI, and a Tong Li supermarket, among other specialty retailers.

Progress continues to be made on the Groupā€™s strategic customer initiatives including our Westfield membership program which now exceeds 3.2 million members, an increase of over 1 million during the year.

Scentre Group is delivering on its responsible business strategy across the pillars of community, talent, environmental impact and economic performance. Over the past four years we have invested $21 million in our local communities through direct and in-kind contributions.

ā€œWe have made good progress on our environmental strategy and pathway to achieve net zero by 2030. Since 2014 we have reduced our emissions by 38%. Our New Zealand portfolio is now powered by 100% renewable electricity and our Queensland portfolio will move to 100% renewable electricity from 2025,ā€ Mr Rusanow said.

The Group has available liquidity of $4.8 billion, sufficient to cover all debt maturities until Q4 2025. Interest cover for the year was 4.0 times and balance sheet gearing at 31 December 2022 was 27.3%. The Group has interest rate hedging of 85% at January 2023.

During the year Scentre Group successfully transitioned its senior leadership with Elliott Rusanow commencing in the role of Chief Executive Officer and Andrew Clarke in the role of Chief Financial Officer. The CEO and CFO roles were internal appointments which demonstrates the strength of the Groupā€™s succession and talent pipeline.

Chairman Brian Schwartz said: ā€œOn behalf of the Board, I would like to extend our thanks to our inaugural CEO Peter Allen for his leadership from 2014 to 2022, establishing our culture and leading our dedicated and highly aligned team in Australia and New Zealand. I would also like to thank Peter, Elliott and Andrew for their focus throughout the smooth transition. We are well positioned for continued growth.ā€

CEO Elliott Rusanow said: ā€œWe are confident that the strength of our business and platform, the quality of our team and our customer focused strategy will continue to generate long-term growth for our securityholders.ā€

Subject to no material change in conditions, the Group expects FFO to be in the range of 20.75 to 21.25 cents per security for 2023, representing 3.4% to 5.9% growth for the year.

Distributions are expected to be at least 16.50 cents per security for 2023, representing at least 4.8% growth for the year.

Financial Highlights

  • Funds From Operations (FFO) of $1,039m or 20.06 cps, up 20.6% from 2021 and above guidance
  • Distribution of 15.75 cps, above guidance
  • Collected a record $2,592 million of gross rent
  • Reduced Net Trade Debtors by $102 million to $84 million
  • NTA per security $3.57, down from $3.66 in 2021 (Currently trading at -20% discount to NTA)
  • Weighted average cost of debt 4.8% (85% hedged)

Operational Highlights

  • 3,409 Leasing deals, up 912 on 2021
  • Average Specialty Lease term of 6.9 yrs
  • Average speciality leasing spread ā€“ 3.6%, improved from -7.6% in 2021
  • Portfolio occupancy at 98.9%, up 20bps from 2021

Sales Performance

Sale Performance compared to 2019 pre-COVID levels were reported below;

Trading Chart

Disclaimer: The information contained on this web site is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser.