KUALA LUMPUR: Pelaburan Hartanah Bhd (PHB) has received an affirmation of its AAA/Stable/P1 corporate credit ratings, as well as the AAA/Stable ratings for its RM5.0 billion Islamic Medium-Term Notes (IMTN) programme and Islamic Commercial Papers (ICP) (2024/2031) by RAM Ratings.
The real estate investment holding arm of Yayasan Pelaburan Bumiputra (YPB) said the rating affirmation reflects PHB’s sound financial profile, measured cost management, and its role in supporting national objectives to enhance Bumiputera participation in commercial real estate through Amanah Hartanah Bumiputera (AHB), a Shariah-compliant unit trust fund.
PHB Group managing director and chief executive officer Mohamad Damshal Awang Damit said the affirmation of the company’s credit rating reflects market confidence in PHB’s resilient fundamentals and prudent approach to capital and portfolio management.
"We remain focused on generating long-term value while upholding our mandate to drive inclusive economic participation through real estate investment," he said in a statement today.
As part of its strategic pivot, PHB is rebalancing its portfolio exposure away from office assets and towards more resilient and demographically supported sectors such as industrial, healthcare and education.
"PHB’s role in national development remains central to our operations, as we continue to enhance Bumiputera access to institutional-grade real estate through AHB, contributing to inclusive and sustainable economic growth," said Mohamad Damshal.
AHB is currently valued at RM5 billion, benefiting more than 82,000 Bumiputera investors in Malaysia with a stable stream of yearly dividends ranging from 4.7 per cent to 7.5 per cent between 2011 and 2025.
In the financial year ended December 2024 (FY2024), PHB reported a 17 per cent increase in revenue to RM464 million, compared to FY2023’s RM396 million, supported by stronger rental income and improved occupancy across its portfolio.
Operating efficiency also improved, with property-related costs contained at just 1.2 per cent year-on-year at RM177 million versus FY2023’s RM175 million, due to the insourcing of facility and lease management services.
Consequently, the net property income (NPI) margin strengthened to 61 per cent compared to the previous year's 56 per cent.
As of end-2024, PHB maintained a healthy financial profile with a gearing ratio of 0.29 times, compared to end-2023’s 0.23 times, and a cash-to-short-term debt ratio of 4.1 times versus 1.2 times at end-2023.
-- BERNAMA
TAGS: PHB, AHB, RAM Ratings, Mohamad Damshal Awang Damit
