Citycon Oyj (FRA:TY2B) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Operational Gains Amidst ...

In This Article:

  • Like-for-Like Footfall Increase: 2.4%

  • Tenant Sales Growth: 1.2%

  • Retail Occupancy: 94.8%

  • Like-for-Like Net Rental Income Increase: 3.5%

  • Direct Operating Profit: EUR 42.7 million, an increase of 8.2%

  • Debt Repayment: EUR 250 million during the quarter, additional EUR 200 million after quarter-end

  • New Bond Issuance: EUR 450 million with 6.25 years maturity

  • EPRA EPS Guidance: EUR 0.41 to EUR 0.50 per share

  • EPRA EPS Excluding Hybrid Interest Guidance: EUR 0.60 to EUR 0.69

  • Net Rental Income: EUR 50.1 million

  • EPRA Earnings: EUR 19.4 million

  • EPRA EPS: EUR 0.105, a decrease of 16.8%

  • EPRA NRV Per Share: Increased from EUR 7.87 to EUR 8.13

Release Date: May 14, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Citycon Oyj (FRA:TY2B) reported a 2.4% increase in like-for-like footfall and a 1.2% growth in tenant sales, indicating positive operational performance.

  • The company achieved an 8.2% increase in direct operating profit, reaching EUR42.7 million, primarily due to reduced SG&A costs.

  • Citycon Oyj successfully managed its debt portfolio by repaying EUR250 million of debt during the quarter and an additional EUR200 million after the quarter end.

  • The company issued a new EUR450 million bond with a 6.25-year maturity, which was oversubscribed by more than six times, reflecting strong market confidence.

  • Citycon Oyj plans to repurchase its own shares, suggesting confidence in the company's valuation and a strategic move to enhance shareholder value.

Negative Points

  • Retail occupancy slightly decreased to 94.8%, which is a decline from the year-end numbers.

  • Net rental income was approximately EUR900,000 below the previous year's first quarter level, impacted by substantial disposals of centers.

  • EPRA earnings were EUR3 million below last year's level, partly due to the hybrid capital exchange conducted last year.

  • EPRA EPS decreased by 16.8% compared to the previous year, influenced by an increased share count.

  • The company anticipates an increase in financial costs due to refinancing exercises, leading to a tightened upper end of the 2025 guidance.

Q & A Highlights

Q: How committed is Citycon to maintaining its investment-grade rating, especially in light of the share buyback announcement which might bring the company closer to the S&P downgrade threshold? A: Eero Sihvonen, Chief Financial Officer, stated that Citycon is committed to maintaining its investment-grade rating. While they aim to improve their ratings over time, all transactions will be conducted with this commitment in mind.