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Liberty Two Degrees’ retail portfolio records its highest trading densities to date

said Barbara Makhubedu, CFO of L2D.

Liberty Two Degrees (L2D) has published its interim financial results for the period ended June 2023, declaring a 100% pay-out distribution of 18.77 cents per share, an increase of 7.4% over the comparable period or 13.0% growth compared to May 2022 – against a comparison benchmark of 10.1%.

L2D has generated a good operating performance during the first half of this financial year testament to our ongoing commitment to maintaining the quality of our assets,” commented Amelia Beattie, Chief Executive.

The REIT also generated a 6.8% increase in turnover compared to HY22 and recorded 9.1% growth in foot count compared to the same period.

Our retail portfolio has delivered market leading trading performance over the period,” said Beattie. “The portfolio continues to show improved annual trading density, recording the highest densities to date in May 2023 at R51 664 per metre squared.”

All of its shopping centres continue to trade ahead of prior year trading densities expect for Midlands Mall and Lifestyle Centre which generated additional turnover, in the comparative period, due to the closure of neighbouring centres affected by the KwaZulu-Natal riots which have now opened.  

From a leasing perspective, demand for its retail space remains strong resulting in an improved portfolio occupancy rate of 93.6% supported by stable retail occupancies and a higher office occupancy rate. Reversions on retail renewals have performed significantly better, tracking at -0.3% for the first half of the 2023 financial year compared with -9.7% for the full year.

We remain focused on office leasing with the office occupancy improving to 82.1% at June 2023 compared to 80% in December 2022,” added Beattie.

Net property income, excluding the impact of lease straight lining, grew by 8.2% over the period, supported by the core retail portfolio and a recover in the hospitality assets,” said Barbara Makhubedu, Chief Financial Officer of L2D.

Like most businesses in the sector, increased utility costs as well as increased periods of loadshedding remain a concern,” adds Makhubedu. “However, we are pleased that cost containment has been managed well, with property operating costs only reflecting a 5% increase and head office operating costs increasing by only 2% compared to the previous year.”

During the period, L2D also announced that the Liberty Group, part of the Standard Bank Group, intends to buy-out the L2D minority shareholders. The transaction will consolidate the group’s commercial property interests, which are widely regarded as some of the most iconic in SA. The offer is to acquire the shares at R5.55, which is at a material premium of 46.4% to the volume-weighted average price at which L2D has been trading over the past 30-days prior to announcement. The consolidation is an important step in L2D’s value creation journey where we aim to create experiential spaces to benefit future generations.

There is no doubt that South Africa’s macro-economic environment is, and continues to be, challenging and yet against this backdrop, our balance sheet remains strong with an LTV of 24.58%. We are encouraged that we were able to show good delivery against all key operational and financial metrics. L2D’s strategy will remain focused on ensuring long-term sustainable growth and the transaction with Liberty is an important step in the value creation journey. We offer a unique experience that attracts tenants, customers, and visitors to our spaces, and we intend to continue driving exponential transformation throughout the property industry by fostering an inclusive and diverse working environment for our people,” concluded Beattie.