[ET Net News Agency, 7 January 2021] J.P. Morgan raised its target price for Swire
Properties (01972) to HK$25.9 from HK$21.7 and upgraded its rating to "overweight" from
"neutral".
The research house said Swire Properties' year-to-date underperformance has narrowed
since August on the back of its surprising dividend hike and subsequent disposal of
Cityplaza 1. Time and again, the share price has proven the importance of capital
management.
On one hand, decentralization should continue supporting its HK East portfolio; on the
other hand, the large disposals should add ammunition for the company to maintain its DPS
trend, as it is still behind its long-term average payout of 50% of underlying profits
that includes disposal gains. (KL)