Aldar reports 17% increase in revenue to AED 8.4 billion and 8% increase in gross profit to AED 3 billion driven by record development business performance in 2020

Abu Dhabi – UAE, 14 February 2021

• Development business delivers record revenues and gross profit, Investment portfolio holds firm amid Covid-19 challenges
• Aldar to manage and deliver AED 50 bn of projects over 3-5 years, with AED 40 bn in recent agreement with Abu Dhabi Government.
• New operating model adopted to propel growth and achieve sustainability target
• Consistent and transparent approach to dividend with recommended cash distribution of AED 1.14 billion, or 14.5 fils/share for 2020
• Robust net profit at AED 1.93 bn in 2020 with 28% growth in Q4 net profit to AED 729 million
• UAE economic recovery underpinned by effective Covid-19 testing programme and among highest vaccination rates in the world at 50 doses per 100 people. With over 5 million doses administered to date, on track to vaccinate half of eligible population by end-March. At Aldar, 85% of the workforce chose to vaccinate in less than a month

• Strong financial and operating performance in 2020 driven by record annual development revenue and increased income from management of government infrastructure contracts.
• 2020 revenue increased 17% to AED 8.39 billion, and gross profit rose 8% to AED 2.98 billion. Full-year net profit steady at AED 1.93 billion.
• Q4 2020 net profit growth of 28% to AED 729 million, from AED 569 million a year earlier.
• Recommended 2020 dividend of AED 0.145 per share, in line with Aldar’s commitment to providing sustainable returns to shareholders. Dividend payments in 2020 and 2021 consistent despite macro-economic challenges presented by Covid-19.
• Aldar Development revenue of AED 4.96 bn (+60% y-o-y) and gross profit of AED 1.40 bn (+ 31% y-o-y) on strong development sales and increase in ramp-up of development management projects. Successful launch in Q4 of Noya development project reflects strength of Aldar’s franchise and deep understanding of local market dynamics.
• Aldar Investment gross profit of AED 1.6 bn (-7% y-o-y), with resilient performance supported by steady occupancy across its diversified portfolio of investment properties and higher contribution from adjacent businesses. The strategy to actively recycle capital produced gains on two investment exits in December: the sale of two district cooling assets and sale of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club Complex including the Westin Hotel and the Abu Dhabi Golf Course.
• Appointment of Aldar by the Abu Dhabi Government on an exclusive basis as strategic delivery partner for an initial AED 40 billion of key capital projects, including public housing and associated community infrastructure projects. The Mandate, which begins in Q1 2021, demonstrates strong alignment between Abu Dhabi’s public and private sectors and endorses Aldar’s position as the leading developer and asset manager in the Emirate.
• Strong cash position driven by AED 4.0 billion of development collections in 2020, with AED 3.3 billion of free cash and AED 4.0 billion of undrawn credit facilities as at year end.
• New operating model adopted to deliver on next phase of growth, aligned with Aldar’s strategy and in-line with Abu Dhabi’s plans for investment and economic diversification.

Aldar Development is responsible for developing Aldar’s c. 70 million sqm land bank and includes three businesses: Aldar Projects, which is managing Aldar's fee-based development management business, including AED 45 billion of government housing and infrastructure projects; Aldar Ventures, which incubates and nurtures new business opportunities and innovation areas; and Aldar Egypt, the platform focused on developing mixed-use communities in Egypt.

•  Aldar Development FY 2020 revenue increased 60% to a record AED 4.96 billion and Q4 revenues increased 53% year on year to AED 1.6 billion driven by handovers, inventory sales and recurring high-margin income from the third-party development management business. Gross profit for the business reached a record AED 1.4 billion in 2020, up 31%.
• Record quarterly development sales at AED 1.59 billion, up 65% year on year, driven by robust demand for high-end development projects across prime destinations of Saadiyat Island and Yas Island.
• Development sales during 2020 totaled AED 3.63 billion, stable year-on-year, reflecting sustained investor confidence in Abu Dhabi’s real estate fundamentals. Aldar has experienced strong demand for its high-quality residential units at the Water’s Edge, Mamsha and Nareel Island developments. By introducing digital solutions and virtual tours, the company has achieved continuity in sales in 2020 despite the restricted mobility due to Covid-19 earlier in the year.
• Strong progress on cash collections for handovers and stage payments during the year at AED 4.0 billion.
• Successful launch of residential project Noya on Yas Island generating AED 1 billion in sales to be booked in line with progress of the development. The launch of the 510-unit mid-market villa and townhouse community demonstrates Aldar’s deep understanding of the local market and customer base including absorption trends and product demand.
• Significant projected growth in third-party development management business through agreement signed in Q4 2020 to manage an initial AED 40 billion of capital projects for the Abu Dhabi Government. Transfer of management or oversight of projects to Aldar will begin in Q1 2021. Including the company’s own current capital expenditure programme of AED 5 billion and AED 5 billion of existing government infrastructure contracts, Aldar will manage a total of AED 50 billion of real estate and infrastructure projects to be delivered over the next three to five years, providing significant impetus to Abu Dhabi’s economy.
• Aldar, is currently assessing opportunities to enter the Egypt market through Aldar Egypt, a newly established platform to focus on developing mixed-use communities in this key geography for international expansion.

Areas of corporate focus

ESG: Sustainability practices embedded across the Group

• Aldar’s ESG strategy and framework are aligned to both national and international sustainability frameworks, including Vision 2021, Ghadan 21, the National Climate Change Plan, UAE Green Agenda and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Key sustainability commitments for 2021 include the introduction of Sustainability Data Management system (SDMS) to enhance the reporting process of Aldar’s sustainability data. In addition, Aldar will prioritize the development of Waste Management Plan as well as the implementation of the second phase of the Energy Efficiency Plan and for the Asset Management business.

Covid-19 Support: Proactive response to support key stakeholders through exceptional circumstances in 2020

• Aldar continues to implement precautionary safety measures across all assets and in its communities, including deploying specialised disinfection services to ensure a safe and seamless property handover process.
• Aldar launched targeted programmes worth up to AED 190 million in March 2020 to support tenants, homebuyers and the wider community.
• Series of initiatives targeting retail partners reaching over AED 90 million with a particular focus on SMEs and start-ups.
• AED 60 million has been allocated to support residential buyers and tenants through market beating home finance products, rent to own units and monthly payment plans. Aldar also introduced a more flexible rent payment for its residential tenants, by allowing them to pay rent using a credit card. Over 330 residential buyers have taken advantage of the subsidized mortgage, supporting unit purchases in excess of AED 1 billion.
• Aldar Academies has been allotted AED 50 million, including 20% discount applied to nearly 7,500 students at its schools, around AED 10 million investment in technology including provision of laptops and distance learning education platform and a AED 6 million hardship fund was established for Aldar Academies.
• AED 20 million allocated to various other initiatives including national sanitation efforts and waiving all administrative fees associated with transacting with Aldar.