KUALA LUMPUR: Axis Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) stands to gain from its proposed acquisition of a logistics warehouse facility as it will boost the REIT's portfolio size above that of its peers in the sector.

       "Given the sheer size of this asset, it will make it a much bigger, more liquid, and investable industrial/commercial REIT in Malaysia a – significantly ahead of its current peers in the same segment.

       "While we understand that some retail REITs have also started exploring opportunities in the industrial segment, we continue to like Axis REIT – this is given its entrenched position in the industrial REIT segment," said RHB Research in a note.

       According to the research firm, the acquisition will raise Axis REIT's asset portfolio size to about RM4bil from the about RM3.6bil.

       "Our FY22F-24F earnings are adjusted by 1-3%, taking into account the expected higher interest expenses after the acquisition.

       "Our new TP has incorporated a 4% ESG premium, given our ESG score of 3.20 for Axis REIT," it added, while reiterating its "buy" call on the stock.

       The REIT announced yesterday that it was proposing to acquire an industrial facility located within the Port of Tanjung Pelepas Free Trade Zone from Equalbase PTP.

       This facility will then be leased back to EPSB for a fixed term of 10 years. The property has a total net lettable area of about 1.15 million sq ft.

       RHB believes the location of the facility to be optimal with links to major sea ports where shipping trade lanes converge while it is also near the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link Expressway, providing easy access to the island republic.