Helvetica Swiss Commercial Fund proves to be resilient in financial year 2023: Stable rental income enables unchanged dividend distribution

Ad hoc-Mitteilung gemäss Art. 53 KR, 5 March 2024

Press release (PDF)

Zurich, 5 March 2024 – The Helvetica Swiss Commercial Fund (HSC Fund) has closed financial year 2023 with a stable result compared to the previous year. The preliminary application for a merger with the Helvetica Swiss Opportunity Fund (HSO Fund) has been submitted to the FINMA.

• The 2023 dividend is unchanged compared with the previous year at CHF 5.35 per share. 
• Debt financing was reduced including an increase in the remaining term to 26.84%. 
• The occupancy rate remains stable with a stable rental income and a stable gross yield at a high level of 95%.
• The preliminary application for a merger with the HSO Fund was submitted to the FINMA in February 2024.

Portfolio management
As a result of two property sales which were above the market value of CHF 24 million, the market value of the portfolio – taking into account a market-related valuation adjustment of -1.7% – fell by a total of 5% to CHF 720 million. During the reporting period, no new real estate was acquired. At the end of financial year 2023, the Funds included 33 well-positioned commercial properties, 82% of which are situated in German-speaking Switzerland. 35% of the rental income generated comes from office use, 22% from retail space and 21% from commercial premises. Active asset management efforts and long-term tenant relationships keep the occupancy rate at a high level of 95%. The constant rental income in the amount of CHF 42 million as well as the stable gross target return of 6.1% underscore the stability and intrinsic value of the property portfolio.

Financing strategy
The debt ratio was reduced to 26.84% and was in the target range of 25-28% at the end of 2023. In accordance with the financing strategy adapted to the current market opportunities, new long-term liabilities have been concluded. In the meantime, 20% of liabilities have been tied up with a term of more than one year.

Distribution of dividend
The distribution of dividend for financial year 2023 is at the level of the previous year, at CHF 5.35 per share, which corresponds to a distribution yield of 7.06%. The distribution will be made with a value date of 26 April 2024 (ex-date 24 April 2024).

Fund shares
At the end of financial year 2023, 674,498 shares were cancelled. This corresponds to 16% of the shares in circulation. The repayment of the shares cancelled as per 31/12/2023 will be made in March 2025 at the latest.

Events after the balance sheet date
For two sales notarised at the end of 2023 in Chiasso (TI) and in Sissach (BL) with a total market value of CHF 14 million, the transfer of ownership was completed in February 2024. These sales already carried out will reduce the debt ratio to around 25%. Further sales of non-strategic properties are planned for the current year.

Merger with Helvetica Swiss Opportunity Fund
With the decision of the Board of Directors of the Helvetica Property Investors AG on 10 August 2023, which was also made known to the public on 1 November 2023, the HSC Fund (acquiring fund) and the HSO Fund (transferring fund) are to be merged. Implementation is planned up to the end of the second quarter of 2024, subject to the approval of FINMA. The preliminary application for the merger was submitted to the FINMA in February 2024. Depending on the market development, the fund management reserves the right to merge the two funds at a later date. 

You can find more details, facts and figures in the 2023 Annual Report of the HSC Fund: https://www.helvetica.com/en/products/download-center
 

Listing SIX Swiss Exchange; ticker symbol HSC; Valor 33 550 793; ISIN CH0335507932

Media contacts

Member of the Executive Board

Patricia Neupert
Head Marketing & Communications

T +41 43 544 70 98
patricia.neupert@helvetica.com

About Helvetica
Helvetica Property Investors AG, founded in 2006, is a leading real estate fund and asset management corporation regulated by FINMA. We offer institutional investors and private investors lasting value through active and long-term ownership of secure and stable real estate assets with solid returns. With our fully integrated real estate asset platform, we cover the entire value chain, develop customer-specific investment solutions, and provide standardized investment products: The listed HSC Fund for commercial property, the HSO Fund for special commercial property, and the HSL Fund for residential property invest in attractive locations across Switzerland with good transport connections to regional economic centers. Our commitment to a sustainable future takes into account ESG requirements along the entire real estate life and investment cycle, and is formally integrated at fund level.
www.helvetica.com 

Helvetica Swiss Commercial Fund
The HSC Fund is a Swiss real estate fund listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and open to all investors. The HSC Fund invests in commercial and industrial properties in the most important economic areas of Switzerland. The fund's portfolio is geared towards long-term value preservation and features high location and property quality as well as broad diversification. The investment objective is primarily the long-term preservation of substance and the distribution of appropriate income. The HSC Fund is authorized by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA. Listing SIX Swiss Exchange; ticker symbol HSC; Valor 33 550 793; ISIN CH0335507932

Helvetica Swiss Opportunity Fund
The HSO Fund is a Swiss real estate fund open only to qualified investors. The HSO Fund invests in commercial special real estate in the Swiss economic centers. The focus is on fully leased properties with long-term leases and few tenants that generate stable income. The investment objective is mainly to preserve the value of the properties over the long term and to distribute appropriate income. The fund units are tradable over the counter. The HSO Fund is licensed by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA. Ticker Symbol HSO; Valor 43 472 505; ISIN CH0434725054

Disclaimer
This media release does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of Art. 35 et seq. of the Federal Act on Financial Services or Art. 27 et seq. of the Listing Rules of SIX Swiss Exchange Ltd, nor a basic information sheet. It does not constitute an offer or a recommendation to subscribe for or redeem fund units but is intended solely for information purposes. This media release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to uncertainties and risks and may change. Historical performance is no guarantee of current or future performance. The performance data do not take into account any commissions and costs charged on the subscription and redemption of units. The documents that are solely relevant for an investment decision, the prospectus with integrated fund contract as well as the current annual report can be obtained free of charge from the fund management company. This media release is not addressed to persons resident and/or domiciled outside Switzerland. In particular, this media release may not be made available or handed over to US persons within the meaning of the US Securities Act or US tax regulations, nor may it be distributed in the USA.
In case of doubt, the German version shall prevail.