We are pleased to highlight the first quarter 2020 report for Alignvest Strategic Partners Fund. The Q1 update discusses performance over the past quarter and their thoughts going forward. As referenced, the estimate for April 2020 performance is 5.3% bringing the year-to-date performance of the Fund to -8.6%.
Additional information on the Alignvest Strategic Partners Fund can also be found on their website.
Q1 2020 ASPF Report
We are pleased to announce that Nancy Lockhart has been appointed as a Trustee of Alignvest Student Housing REIT, effective immediately.
Ms. Lockhart is a director of George Weston Limited, Choice Properties REIT and Atrium Mortgage Investment Corporation. Previously, Ms. Lockhart was the Chair of Gluskin Sheff + Associates, Inc., and a director of Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, Retirement Residence REIT and Barrick Gold Corporation. Additionally, Ms. Lockhart was formerly the Chief Administrative Officer of Frum Development Group and a Vice President of Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation. Currently, she is the Chair Emeritus of Crow’s Theatre Company and Director of The Royal Conservatory of Music, and was previously Chair of the Ontario Science Centre, President of the Canadian Club of Toronto, Chair of the Canadian Film Centre, Director of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation and Director of The Canada Merit Scholarship Foundation. Ms. Lockhart was awarded the Order of Ontario in 2006.
Flash Report #3
Despite our next scheduled update not being until July, the General Partners (GP) of StoreWest Dufferin LP felt it was important to communicate with everyone considering the current uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. We will cover off both segments of the business in order.
This business is currently open and operational. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have made adjustments on an operational basis to ensure we are adhering to current and evolving provincial guidelines. First, effective March 30, we have adjusted our hours of business to 8AM to 8PM in order to provide more flexibility for our employees in these extraordinary times. The safety of our employees and customers is the top priority. This adjusment has allowed employees to more easily arrange transportation and childcare for their families, while allowing us to stay open and maintain a properly staffed work environment. This change was implemented only after considerable review of operational data and analysis of the highest income-generating hours.
At Great White Car and Truck Wash, we have been blessed with a very dedicated staff, many of whom have been with us since we opened. While the car wash is considered a low risk environment with respect to the virus, their loyalty and reliability has been exceptional. To offset the overall reduction of working hours available to our employees, we have implemented a temporary $2.00/hour raise. We want to ensure that the efforts of our staff during this difficult time are being recognized and appreciated, and we anticipate that these changes will help them weather the challenges of the situation.
As we analyze government protocols and newly implemented rules, our partners have taken the firm stance that we are presently classified as an essential service. Car washes have generally fallen into this classification and our truck wash with 90+ fleets under contract only strengthens this point. Great White is currently providing needed cleaning and washing services to a wide variety of essential companies including food transportation companies, towing companies, utility companies and Alberta Health Services. We will continue to monitor the situation, and, should this categorization change, we will inform all stakeholders of the same. Otherwise we will continue to operate the wash and keep our staff employed.
Please find below the most recent update on Alignvest Student Housing. Management wanted to share the latest numbers regarding the lease up for the 2020/2021 school year and the collection of April rents. In summary, we are ahead of where we were last year with respect to leasing for the upcoming school year. Our properties are proving to be highly desirable and some of the feedback received has been that higher quality properties are even more in favour during these times of uncertainty. With respect to April rents, we are tracking to get over 97% of rent cheques. Although lower than usual, it is still far above any amount that would have management concerned about cash flow.
Please see the below update from Adventus’ management team. As you will see, they are taking a prudent and conservative approach throughout these unprecedented times and we commend them for doing so. We will continue to engage with management to better understand the challenges they are facing as the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold. We will keep you informed as additional information is provided.
Please see below:
Please see the annual report from Management that includes audited 2019 financial statements. The section in the report entitled “2019 Year In Review” does a good job highlighting the success we have had during the year.
COVID-19 is obviously top of mind for everyone these days including students, universities and property owners. Management has done a good job highlighting our efforts thus far in planning for COVID-19. Our staff and students are our number one priority. This is outlined in the two sections, “Our Response to COVID-19” and “FAQ on COVID-19”. We want to ensure investors that the REIT is well positioned to withstand a prolonged disruption if necessary. We currently have 4 years of expenses in cash on our balance sheet. This $50+ million of cash provides us tremendous stability and we are taking measures to tighten up our operations to ensure we continue to be financially prudent. We are working closely with the universities to better understand their perspectives and strategies for the 2020/2021 school year.
We are the largest player in the Canadian student housing space and our balance sheet will ensure we exit the COVID-19 pandemic in a favourable position.
Below are links to our 2019 Annual Management Report and Financial Statements.
2019 Annual Management Report
Our Response to COVID-19
FAQ on COVID19
Please see the attached for the December 31, 2019 Management Report of Alignvest Student Housing Real Estate Investment Trust (“ASH REIT”). As of December 31, 2019, we have acquired seven of Canada’s premier purpose-built student accommodation (“PBSA”) properties and have over 3,300 beds valued at ~$400 million in four university markets.
We are excited about the progress we have made over the past 18 months, raising substantial amounts of equity capital and investing it into attractive tier-1 PBSA assets, which has allowed us to become the largest owner/operator of student housing properties serving Canadian universities. Our focus on integrating the local properties into a single operating platform and driving operational performance has resulted in year-over-year same property NOI growth of ~12% and we are forecasting a further ~9% increase in 2020 relative to 2019.
We are now poised to return to market and acquire additional high-quality assets at attractive prices to further expand our portfolio.
Report
Please see the attached for our fourth quarter 2019 report for Alignvest Strategic Partners Fund. The Q4 update discusses performance over the past quarter and our thoughts going forward.
• Alignvest Strategic Partners Fund was up 2.7% (Class F, net of fees) during Q4 2019. The Fund delivered a 2019 calendar year net return of 10.2% while maintaining the same ~4.5% annualized volatility as we have since inception.
Q4 2019 ASPF Report
March 17, 2020
We are carefully monitoring the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. We must take appropriate actions to limit the impact of the virus on our community, particularly by focusing on the safety of our clients, employees and their families.
We have instituted our business continuity plan with a view to proactively anticipate and respond to any potential for business interruption, including restricted business travel, work from home protocols where appropriate, and encouraging the use of video and teleconference for interactions. We are also implementing social distancing measures that will also help reduce the spread of infectious diseases, such as reducing face to face meetings and ensuring our employees can work from home as required so we have a healthy workforce able to maintain our high standard of service. The same applies to our operational specialists who maintain the integrity of our systems and processes. Equally important, we maintain strong safeguards on information and identity.
We want to ensure that there are no interruptions or delays in contacting any of our MFG team members. Please find below our mobile #’s:
Trade instructions will not be accepted via email or text, therefore please ensure you contact us by phone to verbally confirm your order.
Should there be further developments with COVID-19 that prevent access to our physical premises or disruptions with mail delivery by Canada Post, courier or messenger services, this may impact our ability to receive physical cheques. As a reminder, you can set up an “electronic bill payments” with your applicable banking institution should you wish to make an online deposit.
While the COVID-19 situation is ongoing, we are increasingly aware of its impact on both the global and local markets in which our clients operate. Our efforts will ensure that we are able to provide the highest level of client service while positioning ourselves to take advantage of the market opportunities that lie ahead.
We wish you all health and safety throughout the coming weeks.
For informational purposes only; not intended to provide tax, legal or financial advice.
For your individual situation, please consult your financial advisors. (306)933-9993