Scentre Group released its results for the 12 months to 31 December 2021 with earnings up 12.7%, and operating profit up 10.9%.
Scentre Group CEO Peter Allen said: “I am very pleased with the Group’s performance. Our team delivered better results in 2021 than 2020, even with more COVID-19 restrictions. This demonstrates our proactive approach to generating long term value for our securityholders.
“We have positioned the Group for growth for many years to come. We are focused on the customer, leveraging the strengths of our leading platform and pursuing our ambition to grow by becoming essential to people, communities and the businesses that interact with them. We continue to drive strong demand for space in our Westfield Living Centres from existing and new businesses who are focused on growing their customer engagement and optimising their most productive stores with us.
Highlights:
- The Statutory result for the full year, inclusive of unrealised non-cash items was $887.9 million, up from ($3,731.8) million.
- Property revaluation gains of $81.2 million for the year.
- Operating Profit of $845.8 million (16.32 cents per security, up 10.9%)
- Funds From Operations (FFO) for the year was $862.5 million (16.64 cents per security, up 12.7%)
- Operating Profit, FFO and the Statutory result each include a non-cash Expected Credit Charge (ECC) of $168.8 million relating to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2021, compared to $304 million in 2020.
- Net Operating Cashflows (after interest, overheads and tax) were $913.6 million, an increase of 24.8% per security on 2020.
- The Group collected $2,258 million in gross rent in 2021, approximately $200 million more than 2020.
- The distribution of $738.7 million for the year equates to 14.25 cents per security, exceeding guidance and representing growth of 103.6% on 2020.
Leasing
Whilst leasing was active during the year, the Group completed fewer leasing deals with a much greater higher proportion of new merchants, presumably making up from the loss of merchants due to COVID. Leasing spreads have improved. In 2020, the average leasing spread was -13% whilst in 2021, the rate has dropped to -7.6%, even less in the last 6 months.
Peter Allen said: “During the year, we completed 2,497 lease deals, including 1,090 new merchant deals. We welcomed 267 new brands to the portfolio. As a result, occupancy has increased to 98.7%.
Sales & Visitations
“We have been agile in our strategy to drive visitation to our Living Centres. All Westfield Living Centres remained open during the period and operated with COVID Safe protocols.
“We had 413 million customer visits and annual sales through our platform were $22.1 billion, despite the extended lockdowns in NSW, Victoria, ACT and Auckland during the year. On a portfolio-weighted basis, the number of government restricted trading days was 81 in 2021, compared to 31 in 2020. This highlights that our Westfield Living Centres are essential social infrastructure and provide destinations that deliver the products, services and experiences our customers want.”
Total sales for the 12 months to December were just -0.1% below the previous year with NSW heavily affected by COVID lockdowns.
To counteract the growing on line demand for shopping, Westfield continued to focus on its on-line support systems including Click and Collect, Westfield Direct and Westfield Plus which has grown membership to 2.2 million, an increase of 1.6 million in 2021. The combination of these initiatives provides Westfield with opportunities to learn more about their customers.
Developments
The Group commenced the $355 million (SCG Share: $178 million) investment in Westfield Knox, in Melbourne, Victoria intended to enhance the customer experience and offer a diverse mix of premium fashion and lifestyle brands. The former Myer store is being replaced with a range of new retailers, including Woolworths and Aldi, as well as a new fresh food market, and other community uses. It will open in stages between the end of 2022 and 2023 and will be the destination of choice for the Knox community.
The Group’s investment in Westfield Mt Druitt in Western Sydney is progressing well with the $55 million (SCG Share: $28 million) rooftop entertainment, leisure and dining precinct fully leased and on track to open next month. Work on behalf of Cbus Property to design and construct 101 Castlereagh Street on the corner of Market and Castlereagh streets in Sydney’s CBD, is progressing well, with completion expected in 2023. The Group have also commenced a $33 million investment at Westfield Penrith. The project will see the repurposing of the former Target store to make way for a new Coles supermarket, a large-format entertainment offer and upgrades and additions to the centre’s vertical transport systems.
The Group has available liquidity of $5.6 billion, sufficient to cover all debt maturities to early 2024. Interest cover for the year was 4.0 times and balance sheet gearing at 31 December 2021 was 27.5%. During the period S&P, Fitch and Moody’s upgraded the Group’s outlook to Stable.
The Group continues to make significant progress on its responsible business initiatives across community, people, environment and economic performance. Our 2021 Responsible Business Report and 2021 Modern Slavery Statement will be released next month.
“Since the Group was established in 2014, we have reduced our emissions by 30%. We are on track to achieve at least 50% of our net zero target by 2025. We are accelerating energy efficiencies, onsite solar and the procurement of renewable electricity. We have commenced new onsite solar projects at Westfield Fountain Gate and Westfield Knox which together will generate an additional 6200 MWh. Our New Zealand portfolio has moved to 100% renewable electricity,” Mr Allen said.
“We are focused on driving customer visitation, engagement and occupancy in order to deliver earnings growth in 2022 and future years.
“Subject to no material change in conditions, the Group expects to distribute at least 15.0 cents per security for 2022, representing at least 5.3% growth. Earnings are expected to grow at a higher rate in 2022.”
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