Consultancy
Consultancy
We advise our clients comprehensively, evaluate opportunities and risks, and develop customized, sustainable strategies for direct and indirect real estate investments.
Always with a long-term focus, continuity, and risk awareness.
Analysis
Analysis
For over 30 years, we have been analysing the Swiss real estate market and its investment products.
In addition to quantitative aspects, qualitative factors such as management principles, cost discipline and the creation of long-term added value play a significant role.
Strategy
Strategy
We assess your real estate portfolio, evaluate and create holistic and sustainable strategies and support you through the implementation process.
We facilitate strategic partnerships and generate synergies for additional development and value enhancement potential.
Networking
Networking
Thanks to many years of experience and the network we have built up as a result, synergies and connections are created between property owners, investors, asset managers and service providers.
With this approach, we built bridges between direct and indirect property investments, private and institutional investors as well as between French- and German-speaking Switzerland for our clients.
Mandates
Mandates
We develop a suitable real estate strategy for you on a mandate basis.
The continuous personal dialogue ensures the ability to respond to changing preferences or market situations at any time. This can also take the form of participation in bodies such as investment committees, boards of directors or trustees.
Sustainability
Sustainability
Our proprietary sustainability model allows us to evaluate all listed and non-listed Swiss real estate products (stocks, funds, investment foundations) and provide institutional investors with sustainability reporting.
With the Swiss Sustainable Real Estate Index (SSREI), a standard for assessing the sustainability of the Swiss building stock was launched as well.
Market Commentary May 2025
Annual and semi-annual reports of real estate products now often begin with a familiar statement: “We are pleased to inform you that our results are solid.” However, such a statement is no longer sufficient, particularly when management fails to present a compelling strategic positioning...
Market Commentary May 2025
Annual and semi-annual reports of real estate products now often begin with a familiar statement: “We are pleased to inform you that our results are solid.” However, such a statement is no longer sufficient, particularly when management fails to present a compelling strategic positioning. The outlook for 2025 is positive: valuations are recovering, and financing costs are declining. Despite the lower reference interest rate, only a few tenants are requesting rent reductions, which is reflected in rising rental income. Demand for real estate remains high, and investors continue to anticipate a prolonged negative interest rate environment. As a result, both real estate prices and the share prices of listed funds and equities are recording significant gains. Nevertheless, it is well known that markets do not move in a straight line. The extraordinary strength of the Swiss real estate market is surprising, especially in the context of ongoing geopolitical developments and media spectacles orchestrated by “Uncle Donald.” At the same time, short-term volatility is increasing, and credit risks are coming into sharper focus. Claudio Saputelli of UBS expects that banks will need to revise their lending standards over the medium term, which will likely lead to more restrictive credit issuance, particularly for private investors. Since the beginning of the year, a trend toward deleveraging has become apparent, and with several capital increases announced, the coming summer is expected to be an active one. In the area of sustainability, the picture is mixed: according to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, around 52% of buildings in Switzerland are still heated using fossil fuels. The highest proportion is found in Neuchâtel (66%), while Basel-Stadt reports the lowest at 27%. Although all Swiss asset managers now claim to have sustainability strategies, what matters is their credible and measurable implementation. Increasingly, products are aligning with established standards such as SSREI or GRESB. Sustainable portfolio optimization requires time, diligence, and a strong commitment to long-term value creation. In this context, the focus on "risk-adjusted returns" is becoming ever more important. Finally, even the Swiss market is not immune to the effects of geopolitical communication strategies, Uncle Donald remains active.
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Market Commentary April 2025
The past month was also marked by market disruptions triggered by U.S. tariff antics, affecting real estate stocks. While Swiss real estate equities experienced only a short-term but sharp setback in the REAL Index, real estate funds suffered for a longer period...
Market Commentary April 2025
The past month was also marked by market disruptions triggered by U.S. tariff antics, affecting real estate stocks. While Swiss real estate equities experienced only a short-term but sharp setback in the REAL Index, real estate funds suffered for a longer period. General uncertainty remains noticeable. On one hand, falling interest rates continue to support the sector, and dividends distributed in many cases are mostly reinvested. On the other hand, economic risks are dampening expectations in the commercial property sector. However, the Swiss franc as a safe haven is currently compensating well for these concerns. International investors continue to favor stable stocks such as Swiss Prime Site and PSP Swiss Property. But excesses carry risks with a dividend yield of 2.8% and a premium (agio) of up to 35%, conditions can shift quickly. Capital measures added pressure to the funds segment: a CHF 350 million capital increase by SIMA, along with other similar-sized issuances being announced. Demand for residential real estate remains high, additionally supported by low interest rates. In uncertain times, many asset managers are more likely to increase than reduce their allocations in indirect real estate investments. Fund and company results remain solid and have a stabilizing effect. However, the stock market is expected to remain jittery, with continued volatility. Precisely in such an environment, interesting opportunities and arbitrage situations regularly arise opportunities. Consolidation in the financial sector continues: insurance companies Helvetia and Baloise have announced a merger, and CHAM and INA have successfully combined into Cham Swiss Properties. In contrast, Switzerland’s largest real estate provider, UBS, made a last-minute decision not to merge UBS Direct Residential after all — a decision that leaves a bitter aftertaste. With a premium of 55%, caution is advised with this title, even though broader market indicators remain positive for the coming weeks...
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Market Commentary March 2025
Swiss real estate funds have closed an exceptionally volatile quarter. While the average performance of +1.9% may appear encouraging at first glance, it remains fragile given the challenging market environment...
Market Commentary March 2025
Swiss real estate funds have closed an exceptionally volatile quarter. While the average performance of +1.9% may appear encouraging at first glance, it remains fragile given the challenging market environment. Although past and potentially further interest rate cuts by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), along with high market liquidity, supports a positive environment for real estate investments for the coming months, listed real estate funds currently struggle to convince investors in a sustainable manner. This is reflected in a wide performance range of individual funds this quarter, spanning from -8% to +8%. Meanwhile, economic stimulus packages and increased defence spending have led to a noticeable rise in long-term interest rates across Europe. The yield spread between real estate funds and risk-free investments has now narrowed to less than 200 basis points, leaving uncertainty as to whether this is a temporary reaction or the beginning of a structural shift. What is clear, however, is that strong demand has driven prices of many funds to excessive levels, decoupling current developments from realistic long-term value potential. This perception is gradually being recognized in the market. The upward trend in the SWIIT Index, which tracks all listed Swiss real estate funds, has either stalled or significantly cooled in recent weeks. Following the challenging years of 2022 and 2023, many investors are reassessing their strategies. One often overlooked yet fundamentally strong segment is real estate equities with a residential share exceeding 50%. Despite frequent criticism over their low free float, these stocks offer stability. Data from recent years clearly show that active management has continuously generated value, whereas passive approaches have led to capital erosion.
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