G City’s European subsidiaries, G City Europe and Citycon, achieved substantial growth in the third quarter of 2024, underpinned by strategic asset management and high-profile leases in Central and Northern Europe. This quarter, G City Europe and Citycon contributed to G City’s strong performance through focused asset optimization, high occupancy rates, and continued financial gains, solidifying its position in key urban markets.
Notable Performance and Strategic Divestitures in Europe
In Central and Eastern Europe, G City Europe, a fully-owned subsidiary of G City (TASE: GCT), reported a 15.1% increase in same-property Net Operating Income (NOI), reaching €22.7 million, and a notable 15.9% rise in rental income per square meter. Occupancy improved to 96.2%, with strong consumer engagement—foot traffic increased by 1.0% and tenant sales grew by 0.8%, highlighting the continued appeal and value of G City Europe’s managed assets.
G City Europe’s recent strategic divestitures included the sale of a residential building with 109 rental units in Krakow, Poland, for €20 million (around 80 million shekels). This sale, priced approximately 33% above its September 30, 2024, book value, aligns with G City’s broader focus on divesting non-core assets and concentrating on high-growth urban areas, particularly in Warsaw. Additionally, an early repayment of €61 million (245 million shekels) is expected by the end of November from a loan provided as part of a previous property sale in Pardubice, Czech Republic. These moves reflect G City’s strategic approach to optimizing its portfolio and enhancing its financial flexibility.
Meanwhile, in Northern Europe, Citycon achieved a 13% NOI increase, with comparable property NOI growing by 3.9% and maintaining a high occupancy rate of 95.1%. Average rent per square meter rose by 4.1%, reaching €24.7 per square meter. Citycon’s strategic divestitures, such as the €112 million sale of a property in Oslo, align with G City’s plan to divest €950 million in non-core assets by 2025, channeling capital toward high-value urban holdings.
Leasing Success and Market Valuation Gains
In Q3, G City Europe secured a significant lease with global brand UNIQLO, converting a temporary pop-up at Warsaw’s Wars Sawa Junior Center into a permanent, 1,779-square-meter high-street location. This lease underlines UNIQLO’s confidence in Poland’s retail market and G City Europe’s status as a premier destination for top-tier brands.
Citycon’s portfolio also saw an overall positive valuation adjustment of €84 million in the first nine months of 2024, with €14.7 million added in Q3 alone. The adjusted FFO, following EPRA standards, grew 7.1% to €23.4 million (€0.127 per share), marking an 8% increase when adjusted for currency fluctuations. As of September 30, 2024, the leverage stood at approximately 47.5%, with EPRA NRV at €8.92 per share.
Looking ahead
The strong Q3 results of G City Europe and Citycon demonstrate G City’s success in strategically managing assets, optimizing operations, and forming partnerships with prominent brands. With its subsidiaries achieving substantial growth in key European markets, G City seems positioned to capitalize on opportunities across the urban retail landscape, delivering ongoing value and reinforcing its strategic momentum.
Looking ahead, G City’s Q3 2024 financial report, expected on November 20, 2024, will likely provide additional insights into its overall performance and future direction across European and global markets.
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