Hiap Hoe/Superbowl have the 2 new hotels in Balestier. Will they sell out? Probably not, because they could get a one-time lump sum but there is no recurring income. And these companies don't seem to be too active in property development.
The strength of the recurring income stream is yet to be seen. Unfortunately, the hotel sector has experienced a slowdown in tourism arrivals.
At last, a little music for Hiap Hoe's small shareholders yesterday. Co declared an interim dividend of 1.2ct per share - still a small fraction of its 1st half EPS of 8.4ct - but good enough for now, as it points perhaps to management listening to the calls every year at its AGM for higher dividend payout.
The 76% surge in Q2 profit was expected, as the co continues to book earnings from Waterscape and the few units of Skyline sold during the quarter. Waterscape could provide for good earnings rest of FY14 and into FY15, but after that the co will have to look for new earnings sources.
Nevertheless, with HH’s recent move into Melbourne and this shift in dividend payout now, perhaps the company is waking up from its “no-new catalyst” nap and ready to look pretty again?
While Hiap Hoe is certainly undervalued at 75 cents, the hotels' ability to capture travellers is unproven.
The company has not given any figures on occupancy rates but its silence does speak volumes !
From the 2Q statement, all it wants to say are the nice figures >
The hotels within Hiap Hoe’s integrated hotels-cum-commercial development along Balestier
Road are now fully operational with the opening of Days Hotel Singapore at Zhongshan Park on 31 December 2012 and Ramada Singapore at Zhongshan Park on 18 May 2013. With the inauguration of Zhongshan Mall and office towers in May 2013 and June 2013 respectively, the occupancy rates for the mall and office towers have reached 91% and 60% respectively at the end of the period.
Will always remain deeply discounted to RNAV -- unless management becomes more media savvy and think of ways to crystallise the value of the business for minority shareholders.
