FCT's 1QFY2025 business updates highlights strength of northern malls, with suburban malls remaining resilient overall

In its 1QFY2025 business update for the three months ended Dec 31, Frasers Centrepoint Trust J69u's manager announced an occupancy rate of 99.5% for its nine malls and one office block.

Only three malls reported lower occupancies, Tiong Bahru Plaza, Hougang Mall and White Sands. The latter has encountered competition from Pasir Ris Mall which opened in June 2024. Tiong Bahru Plaza is undergoing some rejuvenation and Hougang Mall is undergoing AEI. The portfolio's shopper traffic rose by 2.7% y-o-y with tenant sales up 2.5% y-o-y. 

Average leverage inched higher q-o-q to 39.3%, interest coverage ratio fell q-o-q to 3.33% and the average cost of debt fell to 4%.

FCT's manager is keen to highlight the strength of its two malls, Causeway Point and Northpoint City North Wing, in the North of Singapore.

"Woodlands Regional Centre will be the largest economic hub in Singapore’s North region with 10,000 new homes to be added in Woodlands over the next five years, and 14,000 new homes to be added to Woodlands North Coast and Sembawang North."

Other attractions are likely to be a new commercial hub, Woodlands Health Campus, and the eventual RTS station at Woodlands North. 

Analysts have been articulating both in reports and in interviews that Causeway Point and Northpoint City could see an exodus of shoppers to Johor once the RTS starts operating at the end of 2026. 

FCT units closed at $2.11 on Jan 22, down 1.86%.