Property and Capital Markets - Free Essay Example

Property and Capital Markets School of Property, Construction and Project Management Table of Contents Introduction1 Location of Properties 2 Types of properties 3,4 Trust size and debt levels 5 Location of Head office 6 Reference List 7 Introduction Australian real estate investment trusts (A-REITs) allow investors to access property assets that may be out of financial reach for individual investors, due to the large cost of purchasing property. Trading costs of A-REITs are approximately 0.5% of the transaction cost when compared to the physical purchase of property. (Lecture notes, 2014) A-REITs appeal to investors because of the liquidity factor and enhanced continual income generated from lease agreements. Investors can also diversify their portfolio into a range of property types. The Folkestone Education Trust (FET) was officially listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on 22nd of May, 2003. In June 2014, the Australian Educ ation Trust (ASX code: AEU) changed its name to Folkestone Education Trust (ASX code: FET). (FET, 2014a) The Folkestone Education Trust is the largest Australian listed real estate trust that invests in early learning properties within Australia and New Zealand. The structure of Folkestone Education Trust allows it to hold and manage a portfolio of assets on behalf of their investors and shares are bought and sold on the ASX. The Folkestone Education Trust is a trust, where investors own units. Distributions are paid quarterly through to investors, they include rental income and capital payment for example if a property was sold. (FET, 2014a) The funds manager is separate from the trust. The Trust has 205,069,661 units on issue as at 30th of June, 2014. The majority shareholder is J P MORGAN NOMINEES AUSTRALIA LIMITED who holds 31,206,018 units which is approximately 15% of the total units available. (FET, 2014b) Location of Properties Folkestone Education Trust early learning properties are located mainly in Australia. The Trust also have a small portion of properties in New Zealand both in the north and south islands. The location of Folkestone Education Trust properties is shown in figure 1. Figure one: Location of Properties Source: FET, 2014b Figure one shows Folkestone Education Trust has 298 Australian properties primarily located in Queensland (107) and New South Wales (88). The Folkestone Education Trust also has 56 properties in New Zealand (36) in the north island and (18) in the south island. The trust has property in each state of Australia and both islands of New Zealand. The trust owns 5 development sites that are not shown in this analysis therefore the total amount of properties is 357. (FET, 2014b) Types of Properties Folkestone Education Trust solely focuses on early learning centres. The trust has 5 development sites as well and hopes to develop them into new early learning centres. The typical configuration of a n early centre owned by the trust consists of up to five childrenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s activity rooms with direct access to external play areas. The internal layout consists of a feature entry foyer, central hallway, toilets for varying ages, shower, preparation areas, nursery, kitchen, additional staff area, reception, administration area, storage, and disabled toilet. The external play areas consist of shade cloths, sandpits, awning covered verandas adjoining external play areas, grass and rubber matting to external play areas, child proof fencing throughout, paving, landscaping, lighting and signage. Also early learning centres consist of on-site car parking spaces in marked bays (incl. 1 disabled) average 16, maximum 48. All tenants must comply with regulations to meet the required legislative requirements regarding building services, occupational health safety and early learning licensing requirements. Location is typically within established residential and commercial location s featuring medium to high traffic areas, good accessibility and access to public transport. (FET, 2014c) In figure two the tenant diversification is shown by rental income as at 31st of December, 2013. Figure two: Tenant Diversification by rental income as at 31st of December 2013 Source: FET, 2014c Figure two shows the trust has 28 tenants, 27 in Australia and 1 in New Zealand. 203 lease agreements with Goodstart Early Learning Limited for early learning properties in Australia, equates to 60% of the rental income for the trust. Kidicorp Limited has 56 leases with all the early learning centre properties in New Zealand, equates to 11% of the rental income for the trust. Figure three: Lease expiry profile Source: FET, 2014b Figure 3 displays the amount of income earned during the lease agreement until the lease expires. From 2019 onwards until 2023 lots of leases will expire. Folkestone Education Trust will have to renegotiate new leases with tenants in order t o secure future income. Trust size and Debt levels As at 30 June 2014, the Folkestone Education Trust total assets are valued at $464.6 million. Gross debt was $147.3million and net assets were $306.7million. The net tangible asset per unit is $1.50 (Last financial year 30 June, 2013: $1.33). The Trust has gearing (borrowings and cash overdraft / total assets) of 31.7%. (FET, 2014b) The major financiers for the Folkestone Education Trust are the National Australia Bank (NAB) who provide the major capital and Australia New Zealand Bank (ANZ) who provide the cash overdraft. Both these banks provide the debt facilities for Folkestone Education Trust. The trust got an extension of the debts maturity to June, 2017 with the National Australia Bank and a $50 million increase to the facility limit to $173 million. The Trust also has an overdraft facility with ANZ in order to more efficiently manage its working capital position $0.3 million as at 30 June, 2014 with a limit of $10 mill ion. (FET, 2014b) Figure four: Gearing level for the past four years Source: FET, 2014b Figure four demonstrates the gearing level from 2011 to 2014. The gearing level in 2011 was 39.60% and has fallen to 31.70% as at 30th of June, 2014. There are two reasons that could explain how Folkestone Education Trustà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s gearing level has fallen. The first reason could be borrowing less cash from financial institutions reduces the gearing level. The second reason could be an increase in total assets will lower gearing. Location of the head office Folkestone Education Trust has one office in Australia. The responsible entity is located in Melbourne. To find out more about Folkestone Education Trust or any questions contact the responsible entity as per details below. Responsible Entity à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Folkestone Investment Management Limited Level 12, 15 William Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 Tel: +61 3 8601 2668 Fax: +61 3 9200 2282 Email: [email  protected]/* */ (FET, 2014a) Reference list Lecture notes 2014, Property and Capital Markets BUIL1228, Module 3 Understanding Property Investment Markets Session 9: Real Estate Investment Trusts, RMIT University, Melbourne, viewed 20th of August, https://lms.rmit.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-5507329-dt-content-rid-11236982_1/courses/BUIL1228_1450/Lecture Notes S9.pdf Folkestone Education Trust 2014a, Folkestone Education Trust website, FET https://educationtrust.folkestone.com.au/, viewed 20th of August 2014 Folkestone Education Trust 2014b, 6th of August 2014, Annual report 2014, FET, Melbourne, viewed 20th of August 2014, https://educationtrust.folkestone.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/04/FET-Annual-Report-30-June-2014.pdf Folkestone Education Trust 2014c, 31st of December 2013, Folkestone Education Trust Profile, FET, Melbourne, viewed 20th of August 2014, https://educationtrust.folkestone.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/04/FET-Profile-Final.pdf Au stralian Securities Exchange (ASX), 6th of August 2014, ASX ANNOUNCEMENT, Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Sydney, viewed 20th of August 2014, https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20140806/pdf/42r9q57pc0c0fc.pdf