PRESS RELEASE

from Helvetica Asset Management AG (ETR:HSC)

Helvetica Swiss Living Fund increases net income in the first Half of 2026, successfully completes capital increase, and strengthens the foundation for further growth

Helvetica Asset Management AG / Key word(s): Funds/Real Estate
Helvetica Swiss Living Fund increases net income in the first Half of 2026, successfully completes capital increase, and strengthens the foundation for further growth

27-Aug-2026 / 06:30 CET/CEST
Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.


Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

Zurich, 27 August 2026 – The Helvetica Swiss Living Fund (HSL Fund) generated net income of CHF 1.58 per unit in the first half of 2026 and confirms its distribution target of at least CHF 2.80 per unit for the current financial year; after six months, approximately 56 % of the targeted annual distribution has been generated. The vacancy rate fell to 2.2 % — the lowest level since the fund's launch — and the rent default rate to 3.53 % (4.38 %). As a result, the operating profit margin (EBIT margin) rose to 67.5 %, while the return on investment stands at 2.57 %. The capital increase of approximately CHF 41 million carried out in June 2026 was fully subscribed.

Highlights

  • Net income and Distribution of profits: Net income of CHF 6.25 million, or CHF 1.58 per unit (CHF 1.56 in the same period last year). The fund is on track to achieve its target distribution of profits of at least CHF 2.80 per unit in 2026 as well; after six months, approximately 56 % of this target has already been generated.
  • Return on investment: 2.57 % in the first half of 2026, driven by the high earnings component (1.58 %) as well as realized capital gains and the appreciation of the existing property portfolio.
  • Capital increase: Rights issue at a ratio of 9:1 fully subscribed; new capital of approximately CHF 41 million for growth and value-creating investments.
  • Leasing: Vacancy rate reduced to 2.2 % and rent default rate to 3.53 % as of the reporting date—significantly below the prior-year figure (4.38 %).
  • Capital gains and performance: Three purchases (CHF 56.7 million) and two sales (CHF 50.7 million); realized capital gain of CHF 3.8 million and a 0.5 % increase in the value of the existing property portfolio.
  • Income-generating capacity: Operating profit margin of 67.5 % (65.6 %), due in particular to lower operating and maintenance costs as well as reduced rent default.

 

Earnings and Key Financial Figures

The HSL Fund generated earnings of CHF 10.50 million in the first half of 2026 (CHF 10.28 million in the same period of the previous year). The 4.6 % year-over-year decline in rental income is attributable to the smaller property portfolio and was offset by a significant reduction in rental default: Thanks to a further decline in vacancy (2.2 % as of the reporting date), the rental default rate fell to 3.53 %, well below the level for the same period last year (4.38 %).

The operating profit margin (EBIT margin) rose significantly to 67.5 % (65.6 %), thanks in particular to optimizations in administrative as well as operating and maintenance costs.

On this basis, the fund generated net income of CHF 6.25 million, or CHF 1.58 per unit (CHF 1.56 in the prior year), and thus remains on track to once again pay a distribution at the minimum target level of CHF 2.80 per unit.

Performance and Return on investment

The fair market value of the properties increased by CHF 8.2 million to CHF 512.7 million in the first half of 2026. This was driven by the sale of two properties (CHF 50.7 million), the purchase of three properties (CHF 56.7 million), and a 0.5% appreciation of the existing property portfolio on a like-for-like basis.

The properties sold included a property in Biel (Poststrasse 32-44b)—the largest property in the portfolio to date, with short-term renovation needed—and a property in Zurich (Gagliardiweg 9), which no longer aligned with the strategic investment profile due to its urban location and consequently low return. The two sales resulted in a realized capital gain totaling approximately CHF 3.8 million.

Three properties were purchased in Villmergen (AG), Romanshorn (TG), and Emmen (LU), at net returns above the fund’s average. After the balance sheet date, the fund conducted a purchase of a residential property in Liestal (BL) in August 2026 for CHF 14.0 million, effective retroactively as of July 1, 2026.

The net asset value per unit declined from CHF 102.69 as of December 31, 2025, to CHF 102.46 as of June 30, 2026, taking into account the distribution of profits of CHF 2.80 per unit paid out in April 2026. This results in a return on investment of 2.57 %.

Outlook

The HSL Fund invests in residential properties in suburban growth areas and consistently targets families and multi-person households in the affordable segment: over 90 % of rental income comes from residential use, and about 80 % of the apartments have 3.5 rooms or more. In March 2026, the fund management company outlined four value drivers—active leasing, optimisation of operating costs and Maintenance costs, investments in the portfolio, and transactions. The half-year results reflect this: higher Earnings per unit coupled with lower vacancy rates and lower costs.

For the second half of 2026, the fund management company is accordingly focusing on:

  • Value creation in the portfolio: implementation of the renovation project in Nidau (BE) and further development of projects in the renovation pipeline;
  • Operational efficiency: active asset management with low Vacancies, a lean cost structure, and consistent realization of potential;
  • Earnings and distributions: ensuring strong earnings power and achieving the target Distribution of profits of CHF 2.80 per unit for the 2026 fiscal year;
  • Further growth in line with the fund’s strategy and value-creating investments in the portfolio.

 

Further details, facts, and figures can be found in the HSL Fund’s 2026 Half-Year Report: Helvetica.com

 

 

Appendix

Key Figures for the HSL Fund

 

Key Figures

 

Appendix

June 30, 2026

December 31, 2025

Securities number

 

 

49527566

49527566

ISIN

 

 

CH0495275668

CH0495275668

Initiation date

 

 

November 6, 2019

November 6, 2019

Outstanding units

Number

 

  3,967,982

  3,571,844

Fund units issued

Number

 

  396,798

  -

Fund units redeemed

Number

 

  660

  267,390

Net asset value per unit)

CHF

 

  102.46

102.69

Real/nominal discount rate

%

 

2.79 / 3.81

2.77 / 3.80

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheet

 

 

June 30, 2026

December 31, 2025

Fair market value of the properties

CHF

1

  512,670,000

  504,479,000

Gross asset value (GAV)

CHF

 

  542,862,554

  523,202,677

Debt ratio2)

%

 

25.11

29.89

Residual term debt financing 2)

years

5.3

2.97

2.10

Interest rate debt financing 2)

%

5.3

1.44

1.21

Net Asset Value (NAV)1)

CHF

 

  406,561,136

  366,806,741

 

 

 

 

 

Income Statement

 

 

Jan. 1–June 30, 2026

Jan. 1–June 30, 2025

Rental income

CHF

 

  9,746,006

  10,219,234

Net income

CHF

 

  6,250,650

  5,561,752

Net income per unit

CHF

 

  1.58

  1.56

Maintenance and repairs

CHF

 

  901,050

  1,190,326

Target rental income p.a.3)

CHF

 

  19,773,779

  19,573,318

Gross target return [TARGET]3)

%

 

3.86

4.01

Gross Return [ACTUAL]3)

%

 

3.78

3.88

 

 

 

 

 

Key financial figures according to AMAS2)

 

 

June 30, 2026

June 30, 2025

Return on investment

%

 

2.57

2.94

Distribution yield

%

9

n/a

n/a

Distribution per unit

CHF

9

n/a

n/a

Payout ration

%

9

n/a

n/a

Return on equity (ROE)*

%

 

2.38

2.34

Return on invested capital (ROIC)

%

 

1.89

  1.82

Premium/discount

%

 

2.09

-3.25

Price per unit

CHF

 

104.60

97.70

Operating profit margin (EBIT margin)

%

 

67.46

65.63

Debt financing ratio

%

 

22.43

26.44

Rent default rate

%

1

3.53

4.38

Fund Operating Expense Ratio TERREF  GAV

%

 

0.68

0.69

Total Expense Ratio (TER) (REF)  MV

%

 

0.97

1.00

Performance

%

 

0.58

  -3.46

 

1)  Figures as of December 31, 2024: Net asset value per unit CHF 100.90 / Net Asset Value (NAV) CHF 387,377,826.

2)  The key financial figures were calculated in accordance with the AMAS “Technical Information on Real Estate Fund Key Financial Figures” dated September 13, 2016 (as of December 18, 2025)

3)  Annualized value based on the balance sheet date.

 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results and does not take into account any commissions or fees charged on the subscription and redemption of units.

 

 

 

Media contacts

Urs Kunz
Chief Commercial Officer,
Member of the Executive Board
T +41 43 544 70 95
urs.kunz@helvetica.com

About Helvetica
Helvetica Asset Management AG, founded in 2006, is an independent real estate investment manager and FINMA-regulated fund manager. We provide institutional and private investors as well as pension funds with stable real estate investments offering solid returns, or develop tailored investment solutions, managed across our fully integrated value chain. Our listed investment vehicles, the HSC Fund focused on commercial properties and the HSL Fund focused on residential properties, as well as the HL Investment Foundation focused on energy efficient residential assets and projects, invest throughout Switzerland in high growth suburban locations. Sustainability is an integral part of Helvetica and is formally embedded at fund level across the entire real estate life cycle. Helvetica.com

Helvetica Swiss Living Fund
The HSL Fund is a Swiss real estate fund for public investors, listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. It invests in residential properties throughout Switzerland, primarily in suburban, high-growth locations with excellent access to business centres. All properties are GEAK-certified. The investment portfolio is geared towards long-term value preservation and the distribution of constant income. The HSL Fund is authorized by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA. Listing SIX Swiss Exchange; ticker symbol HSL; valor 49 527 566; ISIN CH0495275668

Disclaimer
Disclaimer: The present information qualifies as marketing in accordance with the provisions of the Swiss Financial Services Act (FinSA). This release (i) constitutes neither a prospectus within the meaning of Art. 35 et seq. FinSA, a key information document within the meaning of Art. 58 et seq. FinSA, nor an issue prospectus in accordance with the listing regulations of a Swiss stock exchange, and (ii) may not be generally offered or otherwise made accessible to the public in or from Switzerland.

This release is addressed exclusively to recipients who are resident in Switzerland for their personal use, and may not be reproduced (in part or in full), edited, or distributed or transmitted to other recipients without Helvetica Asset Management AG's consent in writing. It constitutes neither an offer nor a recommendation to subscribe to or redeem fund shares, but is intended solely for information purposes. The only documents that are relevant for making investment decisions, such as the prospectus with integrated fund contract, can be obtained free of charge from Helvetica Asset Management AG, Brandschenkestrasse 47, 8002 Zurich, www.helvetica.com.

There are a number of different risks associated with investing in financial products, including the potential loss of the invested capital (total loss). Helvetica Asset Management AG is not liable for any losses or damages (direct, indirect or consequential) resulting from the distribution of this document or its content, or associated with the distribution of this document.

This release and the information it contains may not be transported or transmitted to the United States of America (USA), or distributed or transmitted to US citizens or legal entities, or to publications with a general distribution in the USA. The same applies to all states and countries in which the marketing of real estate funds is prohibited.

In case of doubt, the German version shall prevail.



End of Inside Information
Language:English
Company:Helvetica Asset Management AG
Brandschenkestrasse 47
8002 Zürich
Switzerland
Phone:+41 43 544 7080
E-mail:office@helvetica.com
Internet:www.helvetica.com
ISIN:CH0335507932
Valor:33550793
Listed:SIX Swiss Exchange
EQS News ID:2389362

 
End of AnnouncementEQS News Service

2389362  27-Aug-2026 CET/CEST

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