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SYCOM PROPERTY FUND - Unaudited interim financial results for the six month period ended 31 December 2015 and dividend declaration

Release Date: 02/03/2016 09:00
Code(s): SYC     PDF:  
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declaration

Sycom Property Fund ("Sycom")

A Collective Investment Scheme in Property registered in terms of the Collective Investment Schemes Control Act, No. 45 of 2002 and managed by Sycom Property Fund Managers Limited ('SPFM') (Registration number 1986/002756/06) JSE Share code: SYC ISIN: ZAE000019303 (Approved as a REIT by the JSE)
Unaudited interim financial results for the six month period ended 31 December 2015 and dividend declaration announcement
The directors of SPFM, the management company of Sycom, submit their report on the results of Sycom for the six months ended 31 December 2015.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income for the six months ended 31 December 2015
Unaudited six Unaudited six months to months to 31 Dec 2015 30 Sept 2014 (R'000) (R'000) Revenue 356,005 368,716 Contractual rental revenue and recoveries 369,734 371,838 Straight-lining of rental revenue adjustment (13,729) (3,122) Direct property operating expenses (70,403) (70,694) Selling costs on investment properties held for sale - (1,086) Dividend from listed investment 10,663 10,145 Fair value changes on investment property and listed investment 104,485 (422) Fair value gain on investment properties 33,626 3,122 Fair value gain/(loss) on listed investment 70,859 (3,544) Administrative expenses (24,763) (24,940) Profit before net finance costs 375,987 281,719 Net finance costs (66,690) (89,827) Interest income 9,476 11,187 Interest expense (106,725) (104,172) Fair value gain on derivative financial instruments 30,559 3,158 Profit before taxation 309,297 191,892 Taxation - - Profit for the period 309,297 191,892
Other comprehensive income for the period Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges * - (18,630) Other comprehensive income for the period - (18,630) Total comprehensive income for the period 309,297 173,262
Basic and diluted earnings per unit - cents ** 154.55 95.88
* The fair value movement on the cash flow hedges through other comprehensive income may be reclassified to profit and loss. ** Sycom Property Fund has no dilutionary instruments in place.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 2015 Unaudited at Unaudited at 31 Dec 2015 30 Sept 2014 ASSETS (R'000) (R'000) Property assets 8,608,065 8,215,123 Investment properties and related receivables 8,608,065 7,540,366 Investment properties 8,418,737 7,321,371 Non-current straight-lining lease receivable 167,297 188,479 Current straight-lining lease receivable 22,031 30,516 Investment properties held for sale and related receivables - 674,757 Investment properties held for sale - 666,654 Straight-lining lease receivable - 8,103 Other non-current assets 493,879 441,709 Listed investment (in Stenham European Shopping Centre Fund) 449,903 407,674 Derivative financial instruments 43,976 34,035 Current assets 379,245 404,832 Rental and other receivables 117,935 112,418 Derivative financial instruments 301 - Dividends receivable - 10,145 Cash and cash equivalents 261,009 282,269 Total assets 9,481,189 9,061,664
UNITHOLDERS' FUNDS AND LIABILITIES Unitholders' funds 6,241,300 5,756,778 Unitholders' capital 1,947,048 1,947,048 Non-distributable reserves 4,294,252 3,809,730 Non-current liabilities 2,903,795 2,905,722 Borrowings 2,903,795 2,903,795 Derivative financial instruments - 1,927 Current liabilities 336,094 399,164 Trade and other payables 148,113 155,473 Derivative financial instruments - 50,327 Unitholders for distribution 187,981 193,364 Total unitholders' funds and liabilities 9,481,189 9,061,664
Net asset value per unit - cents 3,119 2,876
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Unitholders' Funds for the six months ended 31 December 2015
Unitholders' Non-distributable Capital reserves Retained earnings Total (R'000) (R'000) (R'000) (R'000) Balance at 31 March 2014 1,947,048 3,829,832 - 5,776,880 Total comprehensive income for the period Profit for the period - - 191,892 191,892 Other comprehensive income for the period - (18,630) - (18,630) Transfer to non-distributable reserve - (1,472) 1,472 - Unitholders' distribution - - (193,364) (193,364) Balance at 30 September 2014 1,947,048 3,809,730 - 5,756,778 Total comprehensive income for the period Profit for the period - - 647,081 647,081 Transfer to non-distributable reserve - 363,207 (363,207) - Unitholders' distribution - - (283,874) (283,874) Balance at 30 June 2015 1,947,048 4,172,937 - 6,119,985 Total comprehensive income for the period Profit for the period - - 309,297 309,297 Transfer to non-distributable reserve - 121,315 (121,315) - Unitholders' distribution - - (187,982) (187,982) Balance at 31 December 2015 1,947,048 4,294,252 - 6,241,300
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six month period ended 31 December 2015 Unaudited six Unaudited six months to months to 31 Dec 2015 30 Sept 2014 (R'000) (R'000) Cash flows from operating activities Profit before taxation 309,297 191,892 Adjusted for: Interest income (9,476) (11,187) Interest expense 106,725 104,172 Foreign exchange loss - 67 Dividend from listed investment (10,663) (10,145) Straight-lining of rental revenue adjustment 13,729 3,122 Fair value gain on investment properties (33,626) (3,122) Fair value gain on derivative financial instruments (30,559) (3,158) Fair value (gain)/loss on listed investment (70,859) 3,544 Selling costs on investment properties held for sale - 1,086 Change in working capital 22,555 (2,060) Decrease/(increase) in receivables (excluding interest accruals) 1,662 (33,233) Increase in payables (excluding interest and capital expenditure accruals) 20,893 31,173 Cash generated from operations 297,123 274,211 Dividend received 10,663 8,285 Distributions paid (85,784) (190,450) Interest paid (114,260) (101,147) Interest received 9,836 12,187 Net cash inflow from operating activities 117,578 3,086
Cash flows from investing activities Subsequent expenditure on investment properties (178,936) (16,808) Subsequent expenditure on investment properties held for sale - (6,200) Selling costs on disposal of investment properties - (1,086) Net cash outflow from investing activities (178,936) (24,094)
Cash flows from financing activities - -
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (61,358) (21,008) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 322,367 303,304 Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held - (27) Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 261,009 282,269 NOTES
1. Basis of Preparation
These interim financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2015 are prepared in accordance with the JSE Limited Listings Requirements for interim reports and the requirements of the Collective Investments Schemes Control Act. The Listings Requirements require interim reports to be prepared in accordance with the framework concepts and the measurement and recognition requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the SAICA Financial Reporting Guides as issued by the Accounting Practices Committee and Financial Pronouncements as issued by the Financial Reporting Standards Council and to also, as a minimum, contain the information required by IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. The accounting policies applied and key estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of these interim financial results are in terms of IFRS and are consistent with those applied in the previous consolidated annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2015. Unitholders attention is drawn to the fact that Sycom changed its year end from 31 March to 30 June with effect from the financial year ended 30 June 2015. For this reason, the current interim period reported on is the 6 months ended 31 December 2015, while the comparative period is the 6 months ended 30 September 2014.
The interim results have been prepared under the supervision of the group's financial director, Craig Kotze, CA(SA).
2. Reconciliation of profit for the period to headline earnings and distributable earnings:
Unaudited six Unaudited six months to months to 31 Dec 2015 30 Sept 2014 (R'000) (R'000) Profit for the period 309,297 191,892 Fair value adjustment to investment properties (33,626) (3,122) Headline earnings 275,671 188,770 Selling costs on investment properties held for sale - 1,086 Straight-lining rental income accrual 13,729 3,122 Gain on derivative financial instruments (30,559) (3,158) Fair value adjustment to listed investment (70,859) 3,544 Prepaid distribution - - Distributable earnings 187,982 193,364
cents cents Earnings per unit: Basic and diluted earnings* per unit 154.55 95.88 Headline and diluted headline earnings* per unit 137.74 94.32 Distribution per unit 93.93 96.62
* Sycom does not have any dilutionary instruments in place.
Number of units in issue ('000) 200,132 200,132 Number of weighted average units in issue ('000) 200,132 200,132
3. Condensed Segmental Results for the six month period ended 31 December 2015 Segmental earnings: Retail Offices Total (R'000) (R'000) (R'000) Segment contractual rental revenue and recoveries 154,921 214,813 369,734 Straight-lining of rental revenue adjustment (943) (12,786) (13,729) Dividend income 10,663 - 10,663 Total revenue 164,641 202,027 366,668 Operating expenditure (30,855) (39,548) (70,403) Net finance income 320 966 1,286 Segmental net operating income 134,106 163,445 297,551 Fair value adjustments 71,802 32,683 104,485 South Africa 943 32,683 33,626 International 70,859 - 70,859 Segmental earnings 205,908 196,128 402,036
Reconciliation of segmental results to profit for the period in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income
Allocated Unallocated Total (R'000) (R'000) (R'000) Contractual rental revenue and recoveries 369,734 - 369,734 Straight-lining of rental revenue adjustment (13,729) - (13,729) Dividend income 10,663 - 10,663 Total revenue 366,668 - 366,668 Operating expenditure (70,403) (24,763) (95,166) Net finance cost 1,286 (98,535) (97,249) Net operating income 297,551 (123,298) 174,253 Fair value gain on investment properties 33,626 - 33,626 Fair value gain on listed investment 70,859 - 70,859 Fair value gain on derivative financial instruments - 30,559 30,559 Profit before taxation 402,036 (92,739) 309,297 Taxation - - - Profit for the period 402,036 (92,739) 309,297
Retail Offices Total (R'000) (R'000) (R'000) Investment Property Assets 3,960,273 4,647,792 8,608,065 Segmental Liabilities (29,491) (72,306) (101,797)
for the six months ended 30 September 2014 Segmental earnings: Retail Offices Total (R'000) (R'000) (R'000) Segment contractual rental revenue and recoveries 159,379 212,459 371,838 Straight-lining of rental revenue adjustment 602 (3,724) (3,122) Dividend income 10,145 - 10,145 Total revenue 170,126 208,735 378,861 Operating expenditure (32,164) (38,530) (70,694) Selling costs on investment properties held for sale (965) (121) (1,086) Net finance income 429 1,363 1,792 Segmental net operating income 137,426 171,447 308,873 Fair value adjustments (4,146) 3,724 (422) South Africa (602) 3,724 3,122 International (3,544) - (3,544) Segmental earnings 133,280 175,171 308,451
Reconciliation of segmental results to profit for the period in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income
Allocated Unallocated Total (R'000) (R'000) (R'000) Contractual rental revenue and recoveries 371,838 - 371,838 Straight-lining of rental revenue adjustment (3,122) - (3,122) Dividend income 10,145 - 10,145 Total revenue 378,861 - 378,861 Operating expenditure (70,694) (24,940) (95,634) Selling costs on investment properties held for sale (1,086) - (1,086) Net finance cost 1,792 (94,777) (92,985) Net operating income 308,873 (119,717) 189,156 Fair value gain on investment properties 3,122 - 3,122 Fair value loss on listed investment (3,544) - (3,544) Fair value gain on derivative financial instruments - 3,158 3,158 Profit before taxation 308,451 (116,559) 191,892 Taxation - - - Profit for the year 308,451 (116,559) 191,892 Retail Offices Total (R'000) (R'000) (R'000) Investment Property Assets 3,641,753 4,573,370 8,215,123 Segmental Liabilities (30,742) (63,402) (94,144)
4. Fair value of financial instruments recognised in the Statement of Financial Position
The fair values of all financial instruments with the exception of the interest rate swaps and the investment in Stenham are substantially the same as the carrying amounts reflected on the Statement of Financial Position. The group measures fair values using the following hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements:
- Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in an active market for an identical instrument. - Level 2: Valuation techniques based on observable inputs, either directly (ie: as prices) or indirectly (ie: derived from prices). This category includes instruments valued using: quoted market prices in active markets for similar instruments; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are considered less than active; or other valuation techniques where all significant inputs are directly or indirectly observable from market data.
- Level 3: Valuation techniques using significant unobservable inputs. This category includes all instruments where the valuation technique includes inputs not based on observable data and the unobservable inputs have a significant effect on the instrument's valuation. This category also includes instruments that are valued based on quoted prices for similar instruments where significant unobservable adjustments or assumptions are required to reflect differences between the instruments.
If the inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or a liability might be categorised in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, then the fair value measurement is categorised in its entirety in the same level of the fair value hierarchy as the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement.
As the group does not hold financial instruments that are traded in active markets, fair values are not based on quoted market prices or dealer price quotations. As such, the group determines fair values using valuation techniques. Valuation techniques include net present value and discounted cash flow models and comparison to similar instruments for which market observable prices exist. Assumptions and inputs used in valuation techniques include risk-free and benchmark interest rates, credit spreads and other premia used in estimating discount rates, bond and equity prices, foreign currency exchange rates, equity and equity index prices and expected price volatilities and correlations. The objective of valuation techniques is to arrive at a fair value determination that reflects the price of the financial instrument at the reporting date, that would have been determined by market participants acting at arm's length.
The group uses widely recognised valuation models and techniques for determining the fair value of common and more simple financial instruments, like the interest rate swaps that use only observable market data and require little management judgement and estimation. Observable prices and model inputs are usually available in the market for listed debt and equity securities, exchange traded derivatives and simple over the counter derivatives like interest rate swaps. Availability of observable market prices and model inputs reduces the need for management judgement and estimation and also reduces the uncertainty associated with determination of fair values.
The table below analyses financial instruments carried at fair value, by valuation method.
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (R'000) (R'000) (R'000) (R'000) 31 December 2015 Financial assets - 44,277 449,903 494,180 Listed investment - - 449,903 449,903 Interest rate swaps - 44,277 - 44,277
30 September 2014 Financial assets - 34,035 407,674 441,709 Listed investment - - 407,674 407,674 Interest rate swaps - 34,035 - 34,035 Financial liabilities Cross currency and interest rate swaps - (52,254) - (52,254)
A reconciliation of the opening balances to the closing balances for the level 3 valuations is disclosed as follows:
Unaudited at Unaudited at 31 Dec 2015 30 Sept 2014 (R'000) (R'000) Balance as at beginning of period 379,044 409,224 Scrip shares acquired - 1,994 Revaluation of investment recognised in profit or loss 70,859 (3,544) Carrying value at end of period 449,903 407,674 Level 2 fair values - Interest rate swaps
The following table shows the valuation techniques used in measuring level 2 fair values:
Type Valuation technique Significant unobservable inputs Interest rate swaps Fair valued monthly by Nedbank Capital Not applicable - observable inputs are used in using mark to market mid market values. the valuation This involves, inter alia, discounting the future cash flows using the curves at the reporting date and the credit risk inherent in the contract
Cross currency swap* Fair valued bi-annually by Nedbank Capital Not applicable - observable inputs are used in using mark to market valuation the valuation methodology. This involves, inter alia, calculating the present value of the future cross currency swap cash flows
* The cross currency swap agreement ended and was settled in November 2014
Level 3 fair value - Investment in Stenham European Shopping Centre Fund ("Stenham") The investment in Stenham is an investment in a closed fund without an actively traded price. The significant underlying asset per the statement of financial position of Stenham is the investment property balance, which is valued using a discounted cash flow model (refer valuation technique below). Sycom's valuation in Stenham is based on the net asset value of the investment as per the most recent publically available financial information, translated at the period end ruling exchange rate.
The investment property is valued by Jones Lang LaSalle, who are independent and qualified in accordance with the Appraisal and Valuation Manual published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The valuation is prepared in accordance with the RICS Valuation - Professional Standards published by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors as well as the International Valuation Standards (IVS) on the basis of market value. Based on discussions with the valuers, the Directors have reduced the value of the property in order to incorporate a provision for selling costs, a shorter lease expiry profile for the property and negative rental reversions on certain lease renewals.
Significant Inter-relationship between key unobservable unobservable inputs and fair Valuation technique inputs value measurements The market value of the investment property is assessed using the discounted The fair value would increase/(decrease) cash flow (DCF) calculation method. The valuation takes into account the agreed based on: rent for the signed leases, the market rent for currently vacant space and a) Financial (1) increases/(decreases) in the net operating estimated rents for re-letting of the space after lease term expiry. In all instances, information used to income, the valuers calculated the DCF for a 10-year period and assumed a capitalised calculate rental (2) (decreases)/increases in the yield used to value based on a stabilised rental income thereafter. After the DCF period of 10 growth forecasts calculate the terminal value indication years, the valuers calculate a stabilised rental income. The capitalised value takes b) Net initial yield (3) (decreases)/increases in the discount rate this stabilised rental income and subtracts the stabilised expenses, resulting in the (6.27%) used to calculate the gross capital value stabilised net operating income. This result is capitalised into perpetuity applying c) Discount rate an equivalent (growth implicit) yield and produces the terminal value indication. (6.70%) The resulting value is then discounted to the valuation date using the discount d) Terminal rate from term years 1-10. Discounting the remaining cash flows for years 1 to 10 capitalisation rate and the terminal value for year 11 to the valuation date (i.e. the net present value) (6.40%) produces the gross capital value. After deductions for purchaser's costs, the e) Non recoverable market value is obtained. expenses f) Market lease assumptions for contract expiry/ vacant space
Sensitivity analysis for Level 3 fair value - Investment in Stenham Price risk sensitivity analysis
The price risk sensitivity analysis has been determined based on Sycom's shareholding percentage and the Euro value per share of the investment as per the most recent publically available financial information and assumes a fixed exchange rate in order to isolate price sensitivity. If the price per share of the investment were to increase/decrease by 1% and all other variables were held constant, profit for the period ended 31 December 2015 would have decreased/increased by R 4 499 029 (2014: R 4 077 146) and closing equity would have increased/decreased by the same amount. As this surplus/deficit movement arises on a fair value measurement, it would be transferred from retained earnings to the non-distributable reserve and consequently would have no impact on distributable earnings. 5. Related Party Transactions
Identity of the related parties with whom significant transactions have occurred (Group only)
Entity Relationship
Acucap Properties Limited Sycom is a subsidiary of Acucap Properties Limited Growthpoint Properties Limited The ultimate parent of Acucap Properties Limited and Sycom Property Fund Sycom Property Fund Managers Limited The management company of Sycom and a wholly owned subsidiary of Growthpoint Properties Limited Acucap Management Services Proprietary Limited The entity is a wholly owned subsidiary of Acucap Properties Limited FC Property Management Company Proprietary Limited The entity is jointly controlled by Sycom Property Fund Managers Limited and Ellerine Bros Proprietary Limited.
Unaudited Unaudited 6 months to 6 months to 31 Dec 2015 30 Sept 2014 Significant related party transactions (Group only) (R'000) (R'000) Asset management fees paid to Sycom Property Fund Managers Limited in terms of the Trust Deed: Service charge 22,554 20,530 Property management fees Acucap Management Services Proprietary Limited 10,906 10,554 Sycom Property Fund Managers Limited 268 280 FC Property Management Company Proprietary Limited 945 593 Letting commissions Acucap Properties Limited 705 435 Acucap Management Services Proprietary Limited 6,250 16,437 Capital development fees Acucap Properties Limited 1,287 - COMMENTARY 1. REVIEW OF RESULTS AND OPERATIONS
Sycom changed its year end from 31 March to 30 June during the 2015 financial period in order to align with that of Growthpoint Properties Limited ('Growthpoint'). The current interim period on which the Fund is now reporting therefore covers the 6 months ended 31 December 2015, while the comparative period relates to the 6 months ended 30 September 2014.
The distribution for the 6 months ended 31 December 2015 is 93.93 cents per unit, 2.8% below the distribution for the 6 months ended 30 September 2014. The reduction is largely due to: - an increase in overall vacancy levels from 1.3% at 30 September 2014 to 5.4% at 31 December 2015, and
- The renewal of a R950 million loan facility in December 2014 at a rate which is 0.75% higher than the expiry rate. 2. CORPORATE ACTION
Sycom unitholders ('Unitholders') are referred to the joint announcement released by Sycom and Growthpoint on SENS on 8 February 2016.
The announcement sets out the terms of a proposed transaction whereby: - Growthpoint will acquire all Sycom's assets and liabilities, - Unitholders will become Growthpoint shareholders,
- Sycom's listing on the JSE will thereafter be terminated, and - Sycom will be wound up in due course.
A circular containing, inter alia, the details of the transaction and notices of the required Unitholder meetings to approve the transaction, was posted to Unitholders on 12 February 2016 and can be downloaded from Sycom's website www.sycom.co.za. 3. CHANGE IN DIRECTORATE
Messrs EK de Klerk, SA le Roux, RG Pienaar and G Volkel have been appointed to the board of directors of SPFM. Their appointments will be effective from the date of receipt of approval thereof from the Registrar of Collective Investment Schemes.
Mr PA Theodosiou's resignation from the board of directors of SPFM will become effective on the day after Mr Volkel's appointment becomes effective. 4. PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT ACTIVITY Vaal Mall
The 15,000m2 expansion of Vaal Mall commenced in September 2014 at an estimated cost of R439 million (Sycom's 77.86% share being R341 million). The project will result in expanded Woolworths, Truworths, The Foschini Group and Edcon stores and a new 2,400m2 Ster-Kinekor. The majority of stores are expected to be trading by mid-2016, with project completion planned for early 2017. The expansion will include an upgrade of the existing mall.
Sycom has entered into an agreement to sell a 11.195% undivided share in Vaal Mall to the current co-owner, thereby reducing its share in Vaal Mall from 77.86% to 66.67%. The disposal will be effective on or about 1 April 2016. Unitholders are referred to the announcement released on SENS on 4 December 2015 for further details of the disposal. Greenacres
Phase 2 of the R296 million redevelopment and extension of Greenacres started in April 2015, and is due for completion in October 2016. The northern extension, forming part of this phase, was launched in December 2015 and included a new entrance and a relocated Ackermans. The common area refurbishment and mall revitalisation is progressing well and completed areas are attracting positive responses from tenants and customers. Fourways Crossing
The upgrade and minor expansion of Fourways Crossing is progressing well, and will be completed by June 2016. The total capital cost of the project is estimated to be R105 million with Sycom's share being R52.5 million. Paarl Mall
The 2,850m2 expansion of Paarl Mall, which added 2,000m2 to the existing Woolworths store, was successfully completed towards the end of 2015. The additional land acquired adjacent to the mall is in the process of being re-zoned, and this will provide the necessary bulk to introduce a large format retailer to the mall. 5. BORROWINGS
Sycom has an approved total facility of R2.9 billion. At the end of the reporting period, Sycom's gearing level was 31.5%, with 66.4% of its borrowings being covered by interest rate swap agreements. This will increase to 73.8% of current borrowings once all contracted forward starting interest rate swaps become effective over the next 12 months. Interest rate hedging
Notional Approximate Maturity Contracted Amount Effective Rate ' Start Date Date Rate Rm 31 Dec 2015
31-Mar-14 31-Mar-17 5.790% 200 7.192% 17-Mar-14 17-Mar-17 5.785% 200 7.187% 9-Apr-14 9-Apr-18 6.095% 100 7.497% 30-Sep-14 29-Sep-17 6.045% 200 7.447% 30-Sep-14 30-Sep-16 7.180% 500 8.582% 31-Mar-15 29-Mar-18 6.305% 300 7.707% 30-Sep-15 28-Sep-18 7.650% 300 9.052% 31-Mar-16 31-Mar-20 8.150% 100 9.552% 31-Mar-16 31-Mar-21 8.340% 100 9.742% Total 2,000
The weighted average borrowing cost as at 31 December 2015 is 8.02%. 6. LEASE EXPIRIES
The lease expiry profile by rental income is reflected in the table below. The lease with Deloitte at The Woodlands has been extended to 31 March 2020. Total Retail Offices Dec-16 31.0% 15.4% 15.6% Dec-17 9.1% 4.8% 4.3% Dec-18 18.6% 6.8% 11.8% Dec-19 9.2% 4.1% 5.1% Dec-20 27.8% 9.0% 18.8% thereafter 4.3% 3.2% 1.1% Total 100.0% 43.3% 56.7%
A lease over office space of approximately 18,800m2 expires at the end of September 2016. This lease will not be renewed, and management is actively seeking replacement tenants for these premises. Apart from this lease, there are no individually significant lease expiries in this profile following the renewal of the Deloitte lease. 7. VACANCIES
The table below provides details of Sycom's vacancies at December 2015, June 2015 and September 2014 expressed by gross lettable area.
Dec-15 June-15 Sept-14
Retail vacancy 2.3% 3.1% 1.0%
Office vacancy 7.4% 5.8% 1.5%
Total vacancy 5.4% 4.7% 1.3%
The office market remains under pressure, which has resulted in an increase in vacancies in this sector. Reducing this vacancy level is a key focus of management. The retail vacancy level is largely a result of planned vacancies at Vaal Mall, Greenacres and Fourways Crossing due to the expansion projects referred to above. 8. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING DATE
Apart from the corporate action referred to in 2 above, there have been no significant events after the reporting date that require disclosure. 9. PROSPECTS
Should the proposed transaction referred to in 2 above receive the necessary approvals and become unconditional, Sycom will be delisted on or about 19 April 2016 and thereafter will be wound up in due course. 10. PAYMENT OF DISTRIBUTION
Notice is hereby given of the declaration of distribution number 62 in respect of the six months to 31 December 2015. The interim distribution of 93.93 (ninety three point nine three) cents per unit has been approved in respect of the six month period ended 31 December 2015. The last date to trade the units cum distribution is Wednesday, 23 March 2016 and the record date will be Friday, 1 April 2016. The units will start trading ex-distribution from Thursday, 24 March 2016. Distributions will be made to Unitholders on Monday, 4 April 2016.
For Unitholders subject to dividends withholding tax, the net local dividend amount, after deducting 15% dividend withholding tax is 79.8405 (seventy nine point eight four zero five) cents per unit. Sycom's tax number is 9592332846.
Unit certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Wednesday, 23 March 2016 and Friday, 1 April 2016 both days inclusive. TAX TREATMENT OF DISTRIBUTION
The information in this announcement is provided as a general guide to the potential South African tax consequences pertaining to the distribution for Unitholders that are subject to South African tax. The information provided in this announcement is not intended as comprehensive tax advice, nor does it purport to take into account all of the considerations that may be relevant to Unitholders in relation to the distribution. Unitholders should consult their tax advisors for advice on the particular tax consequences applicable to them.
In accordance with Sycom's status as a Real Estate Investment Trust ('REIT'), unitholders are advised that the interim distribution meets the requirements of a 'qualifying distribution' for the purposes of section 25BB of the Income Tax Act, No.58 of 1962 ('Income Tax Act'). The distribution will therefore be deemed to be a taxable dividend for South African tax purposes in terms of section 25BB of the Income Tax Act. South African resident unitholders
The distribution received by or accrued to South African tax residents must be included in the gross income of such unitholders and will not be exempt from income tax in terms of the exclusion to the general dividend exemption contained in section 10(1)(k)(i)(aa) of the Income Tax Act, as a result of it being a dividend distributed by a REIT. This distribution is, however, exempt from dividend withholding tax in the hands of South African tax resident unitholders provided that such unitholders have provided to the Central Securities Depository Participant ('CSDP') or broker, as the case may be, in respect of uncertificated units, or Computershare Investor Services Proprietary Limited ('Computershare'), in respect of certificated units, a DTD(EX) (Dividends Tax: Declaration and undertaking to be made by the beneficial owner of a share) form to prove their status as South African tax residents. Non-resident unitholders
Distributions received by non-resident unitholders from a REIT will not be taxable as income and instead will be treated as ordinary dividends which are exempt from income tax in terms of the general dividend exemption in section 10(1)(k) of the Income Tax Act. With effect from 1 January 2014, any dividend received by a non-resident from a REIT is subject to dividend withholding tax at 15%, unless the rate is reduced in terms of any applicable agreement for the avoidance of double taxation (DTA) between South Africa and the country of residence of the non-resident unitholder. Assuming dividend withholding tax of 15%, the net distribution amount due to non-resident unitholders is 79.8405 cents per unit. A reduced dividend withholding tax rate in terms of the applicable DTA may only be relied on if the non-resident unitholder has provided the following forms to their CSDP or broker, as the case may be, in respect of uncertificated units, or Computershare, in respect of certificated units:
- a declaration that the distribution is subject to a reduced rate as a result of the application of a DTA; and
- a written undertaking to inform its CSDP, broker or Computershare, as the case may be, should the circumstances affecting the reduced rate change or the beneficial owner cease to be the beneficial owner, both in the form prescribed by the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Services. Submissions Dematerialised Unitholders
Dematerialised Unitholders are advised to contact their CSDP or broker as the case may be, to arrange for the above-mentioned documents to be submitted prior to payment of the distribution, if such documents have not already been submitted. Certificated Unitholders
Certificated Unitholders, who have not already submitted the above-mentioned documents, may submit these documents to Computershare.

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Computershare Dividends Tax Project Computershare Dividends Tax PO Box 62212 Project
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2001

By email to: By fax to:
DividendTax@computershare.co.za +27 11 688 5266

Any queries by certificated unitholders regarding the abovementioned submission may be directed to Computershare at +27 11 373 0004
On behalf of the Board
G K EVERINGHAM PA THEODOSIOU Chairman CEO
Sycom Property Fund Managers Limited Sycom Property Fund Managers Limited 2 March 2016
Registered Office: Transfer secretaries: The Place Computershare Investor Services Proprietary Limited 1 Sandton Drive 70 Marshall Street Sandton Johannesburg 2196 Sponsor: Questco Proprietary Limited
http://www.sycom.co.za
Directors: GK Everingham (Chairman), FM Berkeley, BM Stocks, PA Theodosiou*# (CEO), C Kotze* Company Secretary: H H-O Steyn * Executive # British
Date: 02/03/2016 09:00:00 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE'). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on, information disseminated through SENS.

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