Net profit from continuing operations (i.e. excluding Russia) returned to the profit zone with a significant improvement to €181.0 million in 2017 (2016: €-147.4 million). That represents earnings per share of €0.17 (2016: €-0.15). Rental income was slightly higher at €234.5 million (2016: €233.4 million) despite the continuing sale of properties which do not fit in with the corporate strategy. After an adjustment for new acquisitions, completions and sales (like-for-like), rental income grew by a sound 4.5% to €200.0 million (annualised). The results of Asset Management rose by 13.4% to €150.8 million. In total, the results of operations increased by 44.4% to €107.6 million (2016: €74.5 million). Financial results turned substantially positive at €88.8 million (2016: €-107.6 million), above all due to positive valuation effects from the investments in CA Immo and BUWOG and a reduction in financing costs.

Cushman & Wakefield is expanding its Project & Development Services (PDS) team, to include a new C&W Design + Build platform. In Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), the new service will be headed by Glyn Evans, based in Prague.

Allianz Real Estate has opened a new office in Vienna and appointed a new director to help strengthen the company’s presence across the region. Thomas Villadsen was named Director of Austria and Central & Eastern Europe (CEE).

Last week an affiliate of U.S. private equity firm Starwood Capital Group (SOF-11 Starlight 10 EUR) announced that it intends to make a voluntary partial public takeover offer for the acquisition of up to 5% in Immofinanz. The Executive Board of Immofinanz determined that the offer price is too low.

Atrium European Real Estate Limited announces its results for 2017. The company is focusing on owning quality assets in well-connected, strong, urban locations in the region's largest and strongest economies. 20 smaller assets were sold during 2017 and early 2018 for €80 million, with the effective exit from Hungary and the Czech portfolio rotation completed.

GTC closed 2017 with a €105 million development profit. The company acquired Belgrade Business Center (17,700 sqm) in September 2017 and the Cascade office building (4,200 sqm) in Bucharest in August 2017 for a total sum of €46 million. GTC presented its 2017 financial results.

London ranked as Europe's most attractive city for businesses and employees for second year running, according to Colliers International's latest European Cities of Influence report, which reviews and ranks cities based on their occupier attractiveness, availability of talent, and quality of life factors alongside economic output and productivity; Paris, Madrid, Moscow and Birmingham making up the rest of the top five.

One of the fastest growing co-working chains has announced its entry into the Czech market. Business Link, hosted by Skanska, will open its first location in Prague in July of this year. At the Visionary office building located in Prague 7, the company will offer around 4,700 sqm of co-working space, including space for approx. 100 people, 159 private offices, and five conference rooms.

In 2018 we are likely to see new investors entering the region. However, at a time when the global allocation of capital is changing rapidly, it can be difficult to identify where a new investor is coming from. Marián Fridrich, Head of Transactions at IAD Investments talked market expectations and investment strategy.

Marian Herman has become the new Chief Executive of HB Reavis Group with immediate effect. Marian moves into the role from his position as Group Chief Financial Officer and Board Member of HB Reavis. He has been with the company for more than eight years.