Q3 trading, operational and rent collection update

Hammerson plc ("Hammerson" or the "Group")

8 November 2022

Q3 trading, operational and rent collection update

Adjusted earnings

· Hammerson now expects FY22 adjusted earnings to be not less than £100m.

· Year-to-date, like-for-like gross rental income increased by 11%;  net rental income continues to benefit from strong leasing performance, improved collections and resulting lower bad debt charges.

· Earnings also benefited from lower administration and net finance costs, and a better than expected performance from Value Retail.

 

Footfall

· UK and Ireland footfall has continued to show an improving trend to currently c.90% of 2019 levels, with France at c.95%.

· Footfall consistently exceeds national indices. 

 

Sales

· Sales continue to be above 2019 levels with UK Q3 sales +4%; France +3%; and Ireland +2%.

· Footfall at Value Retail in Q3 was around 90% of 2019 levels, with brand sales approaching 93%, while spend per visit is around 4% ahead of 2019.

 

Leasing

· 221 leases have been signed year-to-date, representing £17m of headline rent, 43% ahead of previous passing rent and 2% ahead of ERV on a net effective basis.

· More than half of leasing has been to non-fashion categories, including F&B, leisure and services, although best-in-class fashion brands and new concepts remain core to our offer.

· Demand for prime space remains high, with Group occupancy at 95% including the Cergy extension.  Our pipeline for Q4 is strong.

Rent Collections

· Group Q3 22 rent collections to date are at 93%.

· We expect collection rates to continue to improve further by the full year.

Valuations

· Yields remained stable in aggregate at Q3 with only marginal adjustments to ERVs.

 

Debt and disposals

· Value Retail completed the refinancing of Bicester Village in September.

· The Group announced on 3 November 2022 that it intends to exercise the par call option on the remaining €235.5m of 2023 eurobonds with existing cash on balance sheet.

· No further Group unsecured debt maturities not covered by existing cash until 2025. 

· Hammerson delivered £194m in disposals in H1.  Discussions are ongoing with a range of interested parties on a further c.£300m of non-core disposals, and we remain confident of completion of these disposals by the end of 2023 as previously guided.

 

Investor Enquiries:

Josh Warren, Director of Strategy and Investor Relations 

Tel: +44 (0)20 7887 1109  Email: josh.warren@hammerson.com

 

Media Enquiries :

Dido Laurimore, FTI Consulting

Tel: + 44 (0)7801 654424  Email:  dido.laurimore@fticonsulting.com

Natalie Gunson, Communications Director, Hammerson 

Tel: +44 (0)20 7887 1063  Email: natalie.gunson@hammerson.com

 

ENDS

 

This announcement has also been released on the SENS system of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and on Euronext Dublin.