Press release

Zurich, November 19, 2024 – FINMA has approved the changes to the fund contract for the Helvetica Swiss Living Fund (HSL Fund) in connection with its introduction for public investors. On this basis and thanks to the early completion of the fund’s repositioning, the fund managers have decided to list the HSL Fund on the SIX Swiss Exchange already in 2024. Trading is scheduled to commence on December 10, 2024.

The fund managers expect the IPO to deliver increased liquidity, improved tradability and a broader investor base.

As at the end of October 2024, the HSL Fund portfolio comprised 40 purely residential properties in fast-growing suburban regions of German- and French-speaking Switzerland. The strategic focus is on housing for families with and without children in the low to medium rental price segment.

Thanks to divestments undertaken up to the end of October 2024, the portfolio’s market value is around CHF 525 million, the average gross return is 4.1 per cent and the vacancy rate is stable at around 4 per cent. The HSL Fund’s debt financing ratio is within the target range at 27 per cent. As of the middle of 2024, the Net Asset Value (NAV) was CHF 102.7 per share. After paying redemptions from the 2023 financial year, net fund assets will be approx. CHF 365 million at the end of March 2025.

For the 2024 financial year, the fund managers expect a net income within the target zone. This will allow an estimated dividend of CHF 2.80 per share for 2024 – a payout that the fund managers consider to be achievable in the long term and that places the fund on a healthy, sustainable footing. In addition, the management fee has been reduced to an attractive 0.45 per cent, making the fund even more profitable.

“Listing the HSL Fund now allows all investors to diversify their portfolios with high-yield, suburban residential real estate in fast-growing areas of Switzerland, while benefiting from trading liquidity on the Swiss stock exchange,” says Urs Kunz, Chief Commercial Officer at Helvetica.

The fund managers will provide regular updates about the next steps. A webinar for existing and potential investors covering the IPO and other, strategic fund developments will take place at 11 am on December 3, 2024: link (in German with transcription in English)

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 long-term ownership of 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. Helvetica.com

Helvetica Swiss Living Fund
The HSL Fund is a Swiss real estate fund open to all investors. HSL Fund invests in residential real estate throughout Switzerland, primarily where regional and national economic centers are easily accessible. The investment focus of the fund is on older and as-new properties with stable and sustainable income. The investment objective is mainly to maintain the value of the properties over the long term and to distribute appropriate income. The fund units are tradable over the counter. The HSL Fund is authorized by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA. Ticker Symbol HSL; Valor 49 527 566; ISIN CH0495275668

Disclaimer
This media release does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of Art. 35 et seq. of the Federal Act on Financial Services, 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.