Immofinanz published its results for the 2019 financial year. The clear improvement of 18.1% in rental income and 30.2% in FFO 1 from the standing investment business underscore the profitable growth of the portfolio to approximately €5.1 billion. Net profit rose by 61.9% to €352.1 million and goes hand in hand with a solid financial position: Cash and cash equivalents total €345.1 million. In order to strengthen this very good cash position, an unsecured revolving credit facility of €100 million was concluded at the end of March 2020.

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Immofinanz has decided to reschedule the 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was originally planned for 22 May 2020. The AGM will now be held on 1 October 2020 in Vienna. This change will also result in the postponement of the resolution on the use of profit for 2019 and a dividend payment.

The government authorities in all countries where Immofinanz owns and operates retail properties have recently imposed restrictions and implemented various measures to contain Covid-19. These measures affect various aspects of everyday life, among others through the temporary shutdown of retail facilities. Exceptions have generally been made for stores, which sell basic supplies like supermarkets and pharmacies, drugstores, post offices, banks, pet food shops etc. Moreover, access to public areas has been limited or similar recommendations have been issued. Immofinanz supports these measures in the interest of public health and safety.

Oliver Schumy, the CEO of Immofinanz AG, is leaving the Company as member of the Executive Board on 18 March 2020. The premature termination is based on mutual agreement due to personal reasons. As of 19 March 2020, the Executive Board of the Company is thus composed of the members Dietmar Reindl and Stefan Schönauer, who will continue all agendas.

CPI Property Group announced the acquisition of Equator I office building in Warsaw from Immofinanz. The investors previously acquired the Equator IV office building in Warsaw from Karimpol Polska.

Carpinus Holding GmbH has acquired a total of 12,000,000 shares in Immofinanz, corresponding to a shareholding of approximately 10.71%. The indirect shareholders of Carpinus Holding GmbH are Peter Korbacka and RPR Privatstiftung (Ronny Pecik).

The Executive Boards of S Immo and Immofinanz decided to end their discussions over the possible combination of the two companies. This decision was based, in particular, on the inability to reach an agreement over a possible exchange ratio.

CA Immo has successfully disposed of its 4,483,453 shares in Immofinanz representing approximately 4.0% of Immofinanz’ issued share capital by way of an accelerated book-building offering to institutional investors. The aggregate value of the remaining stake was approximately €111 million.

Immofinanz has successfully completed the repositioning and modernisation of its VIVO! Bratislava shopping centre. After a renovation period of nearly 12 months during full operations, the opening of the new shops was celebrated today. VIVO! Bratislava now has 170 speciality shops on 36,000 sqm of rentable space, with many new tenants. The food retailer Lidl and the fashion retailer LPP Group have joined as anchor tenants, and the overall offering has been increased by 20 new brands including, for example, Reserved, Mohito, House, Cropp and Sinsay. Immofinanz has invested roughly €25 million in the modernisation and renovation of the facility, which previously operated as the Polus City Center in Bratislava.

Helaba, Berlin Hyp and pbb Deutsche Pfandbriefbank have jointly underwritten an investment facility totalling €230 million to refinance Warsaw Spire Tower. The asset is owned by Immofinanz. The financing transaction closed in September 2019. Helaba, Berlin Hyp and pbb are acting as joint lead arrangers providing equal portions of the funding, with Helaba acting as facility and security agent of the transaction.