Digital Core REIT - Strong leasing momentum in 1Q 2025

Higher Distributable Income

Digital Core REIT (DCREIT) reported distributable income of US$11.7 million in 1Q 2025, a 9.9% increase compared to 1Q 2024. 

The higher distributable income was largely driven by strong leasing momentum in its North American assets. 

Positive rental reversions

During the quarter, DCREIT signed new and renewal leases amounting to US$3.0 million in annualised rent. These leases were signed at a significant +183% increase over the expiring rents. 

This was supported by inflationary reversions in Frankfurt and Osaka, as well as triple-digit reversions in Los Angeles. 

Higher portfolio occupancy

With the strong leasing momentum, DCREIT’s portfolio occupancy rose to 97.7% in 1Q 2025 from 96.7% in 4Q 2024. 

This was supported by higher occupancy for its asset 200 North Nash Street in Los Angeles, where the occupancy rate rose to 90.4% in 1Q 2025 from 86.8% in 4Q 2024, 3013 Winona Avenue where the occupancy rate rose to 79.3% in 1Q 2025 from 70.6% in 4Q 2024, as well as Digital Osaka 2 (KIX11), where the occupancy rate rose to 95.7% in 1Q 2025 from 94.6% in 4Q 2024.

Downtime expected for Northern Virginia asset

With two months of lease term remaining for 8217 Linton Hall in Northern Virginia, management of DCREIT expects that the lease will not be renewed by its single tenant, a AAA-rated leading global cloud provider. 

As the facility is 20 years old, it will require some downtime and capex to refurbish and re-lease after DCREIT gets the property back. The refurbishment programme is expected to take six to 12 months, and management is targeting to have the property re-leased prior to the completion of the refurbishment programme. 

The asset contributed US$9.9 million or 9.2% to DCREIT’s annualized rent in 1Q 2025, and we have factored the expected downtime into our distributable income forecasts for 2025 and 2026. 

Completion of Osaka acquisition

DCREIT completed the acquisition of a 20% stake in a second fully-fitted, freehold facility in Osaka from Mitsubishi Corporation for ¥13 billion (US$87 million) in late March 2025. 

The facility is 100% leased to investment grade customers, primarily leading global cloud providers, with a weighted average lease expiry (WALE) of close to eight years. 

Management estimates the acquisition to be accretive to distribution per unit (DPU) by 1.8%. 

Strategically, the acquisition will increase the annualised revenue contribution from Osaka from 7% to 11%, surpassing Los Angeles to become its fourth largest market. 

Higher leverage

DCREIT’s aggregate leverage rose to 38.0% in 1Q 2025 from 34.0% in 4Q 2025, partly driven by the completion of the data centre in Osaka, which led to a 330 basis points increase in its aggregate leverage. 

However, DCREIT’s average cost of debt fell to 3.8% in 1Q 2025 from 3.9% in 4Q 2025, due to the use of JPY-denominated loans with an all-in cost of 1.97% to finance the KIX12 acquisition. 

The JPY-denominated loan was issued under its newly established US$750 million multi-currency medium-term note programme, which management believes will reduce its reliance on bank debt, opens access to the public debt capital markets and sets the stage for the continued growth of DCREIT’s asset base. 

Maintain Buy

We believe DCREIT is well-positioned to benefit from structural growth trends in the global data centre industry. 

DCREIT is expected to offer a FY 2025 distribution yield of 7.2%, above the yield of other Singapore REITs with data centre exposure. 

DCREIT currently trades at a price-to-book valuation of 0.6x, a discount to its historical average and peer average.

Click here to download the full report. 
 

Related links:

• Digital Core REIT - Pure-play data centre REIT at attractive valuation

• Digital Core REIT share price and share price target
• Digital Core REIT dividend history and forecast

Join the Beansprout Telegram group for the latest insights on Singapore stocks, REITs, bonds and ETFs. 

Important Disclosures

Analyst Certification and Disclosures 

The analyst(s) named in this report certifies that (i) all views expressed in this report accurately reflect the personal views of the analyst(s) with regard to any and all of the subject securities and companies mentioned in this report and (ii) no part of the compensation of the analyst(s) was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific views expressed by that analyst herein. The analyst(s) named in this report (or their associates) does not have a financial interest in the corporation(s) mentioned in this report.

An associate is defined as (i) the spouse, or any minor child (natural or adopted) or minor step-child, of the analyst; (ii) the trustee of a trust of which the analyst, his spouse, minor child (natural or adopted) or minor step-child, is a beneficiary or discretionary object; or (iii) another person accustomed or obliged to act in accordance with the directions or instructions of the analyst.

Company Disclosure

Global Wealth Technology Pte Ltd (“Beansprout”) does not have any financial interest in the corporation(s) mentioned in this report.

Disclaimer

This report is provided by Beansprout for the use of intended recipients only and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, or delivered or transmitted to any other person without our prior written consent. By accepting this report, the recipient agrees to be bound by the terms and limitations set out herein.

You acknowledge that this document is provided for general information purposes only. Nothing in this document shall be construed as a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold any security or other investment, or to pursue any investment style or strategy. Nothing in this document shall be construed as advice that purports to be tailored to your needs or the needs of any person or company receiving the advice. The information in this document is intended for general circulation only and does not constitute investment advice. Nothing in this document is published with regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person who may receive the information. 

Nothing in this document shall be construed as, or form part of, any offer for sale or subscription of or solicitation or invitation of any offer to buy or subscribe for any securities. The data and information made available in this document are of a general nature and do not purport, and shall not in any way be deemed, to constitute an offer or provision of any professional or expert advice, including without limitation any financial, investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, and shall not be relied upon by you in that regard. You should at all times consult a qualified expert or professional adviser to obtain advice and independent verification of the information and data contained herein before acting on it. Any financial or investment information in this document are intended to be for your general information only. You should not rely upon such information in making any particular investment or other decision which should only be made after consulting with a fully qualified financial adviser. Such information do not nor are they intended to constitute any form of financial or investment advice, opinion or recommendation about any investment product, or any inducement or invitation relating to any of the products listed or referred to. Any arrangement made between you and a third party named on or linked to from these pages is at your sole risk and responsibility. 

You acknowledge that Beansprout is under no obligation to exercise editorial control over, and to review, edit or amend any data, information, materials or contents of any content in this document. You agree that all statements, offers, information, opinions, materials, content in this document should be used, accepted and relied upon only with care and discretion and at your own risk, and Beansprout shall not be responsible for any loss, damage or liability incurred by you arising from such use or reliance. 

This document (including all information and materials contained in this document) is provided “as is”. Although the material in this document is based upon information that Beansprout considers reliable and endeavours to keep current, Beansprout does not assure that this material is accurate, current or complete and is not providing any warranties or representations regarding the material contained in this document. All opinions contained herein constitute the views of the analyst(s) named in this report, they are subject to change without notice and are not intended to provide the sole basis of any evaluation of the subject securities and companies mentioned in this report. Any reference to past performance should not be taken as an indication of future performance. To the fullest extent permissible pursuant to applicable law, Beansprout disclaims all warranties and/or representations of any kind with regard to this document, including but not limited to any implied warranties of merchantability, non-infringement of third-party rights, or fitness for a particular purpose. 

Beansprout does not warrant, either expressly or impliedly, the accuracy or completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained in this document. Neither Beansprout nor any of its affiliates, directors, employees or other representatives will be liable for any damages, losses or liabilities of any kind arising out of or in connection with the use of this document. To the best of Beansprout’s knowledge, this document does not contain and is not based on any non-public, material information. The information in this document is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation, or which would subject Beansprout to any registration requirement within such jurisdiction or country. Beansprout is not licensed or regulated by any authority in any jurisdiction or country to provide the information in this document.

As a condition of your use of this document, you agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Beansprout and its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, members, managing members, managers, agents, representatives, successors and assigns from and against any and all actions, causes of action, claims, charges, cost, demands, expenses and damages (including attorneys’ fees and expenses), losses and liabilities or other expenses of any kind that arise directly or indirectly out of or from, arising out of or in connection with violation of these terms, use of this document, violation of the rights of any third party, acts, omissions or negligence of third parties, their directors, employees or agents. To the extent permitted by law, Beansprout shall not be liable to you, any other person, or organization, for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, exemplary, incidental or consequential damages, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, arising in any way from, or in connection with, the use of this document and/or its content. This includes, without limitation, liability for any act or omission in reliance on the information in this document. Beansprout expressly disclaims and excludes all warranties, conditions, representations and terms not expressly set out in this User Agreement, whether express, implied or statutory, with regard to this document and its content, including any implied warranties or representations about the accuracy or completeness of this document and the content, suitability and general availability, or whether it is free from error. 

If these terms or any part of them is understood to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable under the laws of any state or country in which these terms are intended to be effective, then to the extent that they are illegal, invalid or unenforceable, they shall in that state or country be treated as severed and deleted from these terms and the remaining terms shall survive and remain fully intact and in effect and will continue to be binding and enforceable in that state or country. 

These terms, as well as any claims arising from or related thereto, are governed by the laws of Singapore without reference to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof. You agree to submit to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Singapore with respect to all disputes arising out of or related to this Agreement. Beansprout and you each hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of such courts, and each Party hereby waives any claim or defence that such forum is not convenient or proper.