YTL SGREIT change from quarterly to semi-annual distributions and half-yearly reporting of financial statements


Singapore, April 8, 2020

YTL Starhill Global REIT Management Limited (YTL Starhill Global), the manager of Starhill Global Real Estate Investment Trust (SGREIT), refers to the recent amendments to Rule 705(2) of the Listing Manual of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited in connection with the introduction of half-yearly financial results reporting, which came into effect on 7 February 2020. YTL Starhill Global would like to inform Unitholders that SGREIT will be making the following changes:

(i) changing its distribution frequency to semi-annual distributions from its current quarterly distributions from this quarter ended 31 March 2020. The last quarterly distribution for the quarter ended 31 December 2019 had been made to unitholders on 28 February 2020 and the next distribution period will be for the six-month period from 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2020; and

(ii) adopting the announcement of half-yearly financial statements with effect from financial year ending 30 June 2021 (“FY 2020/21”). For the third quarter ended 31 March 2020, SGREIT will release its last quarterly financial statements as scheduled in end of April 2020. For FY 2020/21, the first half-yearly financial results announcement will be for the period 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2020.

YTL Starhill Global believes that the switch from quarterly to semi-annual distribution will enable SGREIT to improve its capital management in view of the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, with semi-annual distributions and half-yearly financial reporting, SGREIT can achieve savings in terms of cost and administrative resources.

Notwithstanding adoption of half-yearly financial reporting, YTL Starhill Global will continue proactive engagement with stakeholders through various communication channels, including providing relevant material financial information and/or operational updates between the announcements of half-yearly financial statements.

In addition, YTL Starhill Global's board of directors will be taking a 20 per cent cut in directors' fees. CEO and CFO will each take a pay cut of 10 per cent, while other senior staff will take pay cuts of 5 per cent. The cuts will be effective for three months from April 2020 and will be reviewed at the end of the period. The savings from the salary adjustment by YTL Starhill Global will be passed to Unitholders as part of a 10% reduction in base management fees payable by SGREIT for the next three months effective from April 2020.

About Starhill Global REIT

Starhill Global REIT is a Singapore-based real estate investment trust investing primarily in real estate used for retail and office purposes, both in Singapore and overseas. Since its listing on the Mainboard of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the “SGX-ST”) on 20 September 2005, Starhill Global REIT has grown its initial portfolio from interests in two landmark properties on Orchard Road in Singapore to 10 properties in Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, China, and Japan, valued at about S$3.1 billion.

These comprise interests in Wisma Atria and Ngee Ann City on Orchard Road in Singapore, Myer Centre Adelaide, David Jones Building and Plaza Arcade in Adelaide and Perth, Australia, Starhill Gallery and Lot 10 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a retail property in Chengdu, China, and two properties in Tokyo, Japan. Starhill Global REIT remains focused on sourcing attractive property assets in Singapore and overseas, while driving organic growth from its existing portfolio, through proactive leasing efforts and creative asset enhancements.

Starhill Global REIT is managed by an external manager, YTL Starhill Global REIT Management Limited. The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of YTL Starhill Global REIT Management Holdings Pte. Ltd. which is in turn an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of YTL Corporation Berhad.




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