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Unite remains bullish

RESULTS: Despite uncertainties over how spending cuts will impact higher education, student accommodation specialist Unite remains bullish
August 26, 2010

Student accommodation specialist Unite returned to profitability at the half-year stage after being hit hard last year with restructuring costs and development land write-downs. What's more, on an adjusted basis, group net asset value (NAV) rose by 8 per cent to 286p since the December year-end. This was driven by a 3.8 per cent uplift in Unite's portfolio, helped along by rental growth of 2.3 per cent and 1.5 per cent yield compression.

IC TIP: Hold at 184p

But the long-term issue facing the group is whether demand for student accommodation will suffer against the backdrop of a government austerity programme that's set to slash higher education funding. That said, management doesn't sound too concerned. Indeed, demand for student accommodation continues to outstrip supply and, despite spending cuts, it doesn't expect student numbers to decline. Rather, Unite is planning for flat UK undergraduate intake and strong growth in international student numbers and also sees opportunities to work with universities to upgrade and manage their own campus accommodation.

On that basis, the group is continuing with its development programme, which includes securing 2,300 beds in London for delivery in 2012 and beyond, and a further 1,158 beds across three projects for delivery next year.

Broker KBC Peel Hunt expects a full-year adjusted NAV of 300p (265p in 2009).

UNITE (UTG)

ORD PRICE:184pMARKET VALUE:£295m
TOUCH:184-185p12-MONTH HIGH:308pLOW: 163p
DIVIDEND YIELD:nilDEVELOPMENT PROPS:nil
DISCOUNT TO NAV:21% 
INVESTMENT PROPERTIES:£412mNET DEBT:116%

Half-year to 30 JunNet asset value (p)Pre-tax profit (£m)Earnings per share (p)Dividend per share (p)
2009234-29.4-23.5nil
201023212.16.1nil
% change-1---

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