HPH Trust records unchanged H1 DPU of HK$0.05 despite higher profit

[SINGAPORE] Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) Trust reported a distribution per unit of HK$0.05 for the first half ended Jun 30, 2025, unchanged from the corresponding year-ago period.

This was despite net profit surging 67.6 per cent to HK$265.1 million (S$43.3 million), from HK$158.1 million in H1 2024, based on a Tuesday (Jul 22) evening bourse filing.

The distribution will be paid out on or about Sep 19, after books closure on Jul 30.

Revenue and other income rose 6.3 per cent to HK$5.7 billion from HK$5.3 billion a year prior. This came as container throughput at the trust’s Yantian International Container Terminals in China grew 12.7 per cent year on year, primarily driven by the increase in laden export, inbound empty and transshipment cargoes.

But the combined container throughput of the trust’s other ports in Kwai Tsing, Hong Kong, slipped 3.3 per cent in H1 2025, against H1 2024.

The average revenue per container for Hong Kong was higher than last year, mainly attributed to higher storage income; but it fell for mainland China, mainly due to a higher portion of empty and transshipment cargoes.

Outbound cargoes to the European Union (EU) increased by about 15 per cent in the first half of 2025, whereas volume to the US dropped by 5 per cent, its manager said.

Cost of services rendered was HK$1.8 billion, up 4.5 per cent from H1 2024’s HK$1.7 billion, mainly attributed to higher throughput.

China’s exports to the US saw a significant drop since the start of May due to “staggering” US tariffs, the manager said, adding that this has recovered moderately following the mutual pause on reciprocal tariffs.

While growth in China’s exports to the EU is expected to continue growing in H2, prolonged port congestions could adversely impact trade volumes, it said.

Meanwhile, if trade deals with Asian nations fail to materialise after the reciprocal tariff pause expires, “the sudden reinstatement of higher tariffs and possible sectoral tariffs by the US government could trigger fresh turmoil in global trade, particularly for intra-Asia trade”, the manager said.

HPH Trust is also monitoring disruptions to shipping caused by attacks in the Red Sea and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

As at Jun 30, 2025, 50 per cent of HPH Trust’s debts were on a fixed interest-rate.

The sharp fall in Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate (HIBOR) in Q2 2025 was largely driven by direct intervention of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to defend the currency peg, the trust’s manager said, adding that it remains uncertain whether the rate will remain at this lower level.

HPH Trust’s monthly interest expense would increase by about HK$2.6 million for every 25 basis points rise in HIBOR, it added.

The manager said that interest expense will increase when the trust refinances its maturing debts in 2026 that were drawn at the low end of the interest rate cycle four years ago.

Units of HPH Trust closed up 0.6 per cent or US$0.001 at US$0.184 on Tuesday, before the announcement.