AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
FRA
GER
ESP
ITA
NLD
PRT
SWE
GRC
IND
POL
BRA
ZAF
RUS
CHN
UAE
A company majorly acts through two bodies of people- its stakeholders and its Board of Directors. The directors are believed to be important catalysts in driving ahead the robust corporate governance. They are the watchdogs of the companyâs promoters, while managing the company and protecting the interest of minority shareholders. The importance of the Board of Directors can be understood from the fact that they are appointed to act on behalf of the shareholders to run the day to day affairs of the business, and are directly accountable to the shareholders, ensuring that the companyâs statutory obligations are met.
Directorsâ Interest
The ownership of any businessâ securities by its Directors is referred to as the Directorsâ Interest. This is disclosed in the companyâs financial statements as a Directorsâ Report to the shareholders. Through this, the Director receives a monetary or likewise advantage from a deal.
Importance of Directorsâ Interest- Rural Funds Group
Rural Funds Group (ASX:RFF) is Australiaâs only diversified agricultural REIT and has a portfolio of high quality agricultural assets, which are leased to agricultural operators.
Recently, the Groupâs directors bought ~1 million worth of securities, after the securities of the company began trading again. The history behind the act is important to note here: The pause (on 8 August 2019) and halt in the trading (on 6 August 2019) of RFF securities on ASX was implied after the Texas, US-based short seller Bonitas Research levelled up its accusations for the company regarding the false inflation and fabrication of rental income and drawing off ~$30 million from the Rural Funds REIT to the RFM privately-held management company. Bonitas accused the company of overstating assets by 100pc and alleged them having a mere $268 million (contrary to the reported ~532 million for 31 December 2018), which does not sync with the recently increased minimum $400 million net asset loan covenant.
Falling prey to these accusations, the stock price of RFF had plunged down by ~42 percent to A$1.36 on 6 August 2019. The company outrightly denied the allegations and clarified the subject to the media and its shareholders on 7 August 2019 in a detailed report.
Securities Held by RFFâs Directors
Post resumption of trading of the securities of RFF on 8 August 2019, the two company directors, Guy Paynter and Michael Carroll along with MD David Bryant beefed up on the companyâs securities.
Mr Guy Paynter had acquired 150,000 units at $1.6995 per unit in Boskenna Pty Ltd and 250,000 units at $1.7749 per unit in Australian Pioneer Pty Ltd. This changed his number of securities held from 1,059,104 units to 1,459,104 units.
Following a similar footprint, Mr Michael Carroll acquired 15,730 units at $1.895 per unit in Mudgegonga Pty Ltd. This changed his number of securities from 27,940 units to the currently held 43,670 units.
Further, revised on 12 August 2019, MD of RFF, Mr David Bryant acquired 1,538 units at $1.95 per unit on 9 August 2019, which changed the number of securities from 14,707,354 units to the currently held 14,708,892 units.
The above facts prove that the directors helped RFF in reviving its swept off stock price with their own share purchases.
The lease of Rewan to AAC
On 31 July 2019, Rural Funds Management Limited (RFM), an entity of the company, intimated the media and its shareholders that it would lease its central Queensland cattle property, Rewan to Australian Agricultural Company (ASX:AAC) for a period of ten years. The decided lease is subject to the approval of the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).
Besides, the speculations suggest that as capital expenditure and operational improvements have been on upward trend since the acquisition of the property, its value and productivity has increased. The lease is expected to benefit the involved parties, as the income generated from the asset shows no sign of a slump.
FY19 Results
Amid the haphazard instances that surrounded the company right in the midst of the reporting season, market experts and investors are eagerly waiting for the company to announce its FY19 financial results on 27 August 2019, which is expected to be in sync with the guidance previously provided by RFF.
As we wait for the yearly results to arrive, let us take a sneak peak into RFFâs results for the half year ended 31 December 2018, which was released in February 2019:
The companyâs property revenue was 27 per cent higher driven by transactions, development capital expenditure and lease indexation. The TCI and EPU were high due to additional property revenue and an independent revaluation of the Kerarbury almond orchard. The increase in pro forma adjusted total assets stood at $200 million, driven by acquisitions, capex and Kerarbury revaluation. The Pro forma gearing was at 33 per cent and remained well within the target range of 30-35 per cent.
The Earnings stood at 7.73 cents per unit and increased by 17% on pcp. The Distributions per unit was 5.22 cents, up by 4 per cent on pcp. The companyâs Term debt facility limit increased to $200 million three-year facility (expiring in November 2021) and $100 million five-year facility (expiring in 2023).
On the outlook front, the company stated the FY19 forecast AFFO of 13.2 cpu and distributions of 10.43 cpu. The FY20 distribution forecast was forecasted at 10.85 cpu, in line with the RFMâs DPU growth target.
The first half of the year was also dedicated to acquisitions of properties for RFF, some of them being Cerberus, Mayneland, Dyamberin and Woodburn.
RFFâs income and forecast (Source: RFFâs Report)
Share Performance on ASX
After the close of trading hours, on 12 August 2019, the shares of RFF were quoted at a price of A$1.840, up by 1.65 per cent relative to its last trade. The market capitalisation of the company is A$606.22 million, with approximately 334.93 million outstanding shares. With an annual dividend yield of 5.76 per cent, RFFâs stock has delivered a negative YTD return of 17.35 per cent. In the last one, three and six months, the stock return (negative) has been 21.30 per cent, 18.10 per cent and 19.56 per cent, respectively.
Disclaimer
This website is a service of Kalkine Media Pty. Ltd. A.C.N. 629 651 672. The website has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used as a complete source of information on any particular company. Kalkine Media does not in any way endorse or recommend individuals, products or services that may be discussed on this site. Our publications are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold. We are neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice.
