In recent years student housing has emerged as a highly attractive investment product on European markets. With the number of international students set to grow further and supply still limited, the future of this asset class seems bright. Stefan Kolibar, Head of Marketing at StudentMarketing talked about recent market developments.

Penta Investments closed 2017 with a profit of €236 million and its portfolio companies' total assets grew by 6 % to €9 billion. Fortuna, Dr.Max , Prima banka and Privatbanka were the most profitable companies, Penta Real Estate's development activities also contributed to the success. The largest expenditure was allocated for investment in the retail, real estate, healthcare and manufacturing sectors.

Growthpoint Properties, a South African REIT, has agreed to subscribe for shares in Griffin Premium RE (GPRE). The company is to invest between €120 million and €150 million.

Majority shareholder Lone Star (LSREF III GTC Investments B.V.) has informed developer Globe Trade Center (GTC) that it is considering the sale of entire 61.1 percent stake in the company. Lone Star appointed J.P.Morgan and UBS to assist them in this strategic review.

The CEO of CTP believes that logistics is a future-proof investment product that can make or break a company's success. The developer is moving ahead with full speed and hopes to increase its portfolio to 8 million sqm within the next few years. Remon Vos talked to Property Forum in Budapest about current plans and the future of industrial/logistics as an asset class.

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.