Equites FY HEPS down 24.9%

Equites Property Fund, a leading player in the real estate sector, has been making waves with its sustainable business model and strong focus on quality real estate solutions. Andrea Taverna-Turisan, the CEO of Equites, recently sat down with CNBC Africa's Godfrey Mutizwa to discuss the company's performance and outlook for the future. Taverna-Turisan attributes the zero percent vacancies in Equites' properties to the high demand for quality real estate in the market. She highlights that Equites has always operated at the top end of the sector, providing solutions that are in high demand despite the challenges in the real estate market. With low vacancy levels, Equites has been able to drive rentals and maintain a stable business model over the years. Looking ahead, Taverna-Turisan expresses confidence in the sustainability of Equites' business, noting that the company has managed to secure tenants for all its properties over the past 18 months. This success has enabled Equites to consider adding speculative developments to its South African portfolio, taking advantage of the low vacancy rates in the premium market segment. While Equites saw a headline drop in gross property revenue and earnings per share, Taverna-Turisan explains that this was a strategic decision to cut out cross-currency interest rate swaps from their processes. Despite this, Equites managed to stay within the guided distribution per share range and maintained key metrics such as loan-to-value ratio and property portfolio value. One of the key highlights from the interview was Equites' focus on sustainability and innovation in the real estate sector. Taverna-Turisan shared how the company has embraced ESG practices, including providing energy security to tenants and investing in water sustainability initiatives. By doubling the number of energy guaranteed buildings and working towards carbon-neutral properties, Equites is positioning itself as a frontrunner in sustainable real estate development. Looking ahead, Taverna-Turisan remains cautiously optimistic about the future, both in South Africa and the UK market. Despite external factors like interest rate cuts and political uncertainties, she believes in the resilience of the business and the potential for growth in the logistics sector. In conclusion, Equites Property Fund under the leadership of Andrea Taverna-Turisan continues to set a benchmark for sustainable business practices and quality real estate solutions. With a strong focus on innovation and talent development, Equites is well-positioned to navigate the evolving real estate landscape and drive long-term value for its stakeholders.