Growthpoint CEO Norbert Sasse said at the company's annual results presentation last week that dividend growth was likely to slow to between 5% and 6% next year, down from 7,5% for the 12 months to June.
That would be the lowest distribution increase reported by Growthpoint since 2004.
The main reasons Sasse gave for the slowdown were the worrying state of SA's economy and the time it would take to bed down the R18,6bn takeover of Acucap/Sycom's property portfolio.
Growthpoint's assets, including a 50% stake in Cape Town's R13,6bn V&A Waterfront, surpassed R100bn following the Acucap/Sycom deal.
Sasse said income growth from the company's R10,9bn stake in Australian-listed Growthpoint Australia was also likely to come under pressure because of the expected increase in withholding tax on dividends paid to non-Australian shareholders.
"Also, we are budgeting for no further rand weakness against the Australian dollar."
Meago Asset Managers director Thabo Ramushu describes Growthpoint's outlook as disappointing. Though the V&A Waterfront is still performing well, Ramushu says office fundamentals remain particularly challenging, especially in Sandton, where Growthpoint has significant investments.
In addition, the restructuring of Acucap/Sycom's debt appears to be a bit of an issue.
However, Old Mutual Investment Group portfolio manager Evan Robins believes Growthpoint remains a buy-and-hold for the longer term.
"The market is too obsessed with short-term numbers. Investors need to look beyond next year's slower growth outlook as there are a few one-offs in the 2016 forecasts."
Source: Financial Mail
For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.
We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.
Go to: http://www.inet.co.za
