Vonovia SE on the Capital Market
Shares in Vonovia
Whereas the COVID-19 crisis primarily marked 2020 with uncertainty, volatility and a negative share price performance, the picture has changed significantly across the globe in the first nine months of this year. The stock markets have left the pandemic-induced slump behind and are reaching new heights.
The German leading index DAX 40 and the EURO STOXX 50, for example, climbed by 11.2% and 13.3% respectively in the first nine month of 2021, whereas both Vonovia’s shares and the listed residential real estate sector as a whole have shown weaker development to date after significant outperformance in 2020.
We attribute Vonovia’s negative share price performance first and foremost to the following market-related factors: Risk appetite on the capital market has increased considerably in a year-on-year comparison with investors currently focusing more on cyclical stocks and equities whose performance in 2020 was less positive. Rising inflation and an increased interest rate risk make the situation for residential real estate stocks even more challenging. In particular, the weaker performance of shares in German residential real estate companies points to additional uncertainty in the political and regulatory environment, for example the possibility that rent legislation will change after the German Bundestag elections and other regulatory changes associated with the ongoing exploratory coalition talks.
All in all, however, we are convinced that the environment for the German residential real estate sector remains positive in the long term.
We expect the main megatrends – and as a result, the key drivers behind our business – to continue to create a sustained positive environment going forward. Vonovia is in a very good position strategically to be part of the solution to the challenges facing us: urbanization and the resulting imbalance between supply and demand, climate change and the reduction of CO2 emissions in the housing stock, demographic change and senior-friendly apartment conversion. As a result, we are optimistic as we look ahead to the future and are confident that we will remain financially successful.
Vonovia’s market capitalization amounted to around € 29.9 billion as of September 30, 2021.
Share Information (as of September 30, 2021)
First day of trading | July 11, 2013 | |
Subscription price | € 16.50 | |
Total number of shares | 575,257,327 | |
Share capital | € 575,257,327 | |
ISIN | DE000A1ML7J1 | |
WKN | A1ML7J | |
Ticker symbol | VNA | |
Common code | 94567408 | |
Share class | Registered shares with no par value | |
Stock exchange | Frankfurt Stock Exchange | |
Market segment | Regulated market | |
Indices | DAX 40, EURO STOXX 50, DAX 50 ESG, Dow Jones Sustainability Index Europe, STOXX Global ESG Leaders, EURO STOXX ESG Leaders 50, STOXX Europe ESG Leaders 50, FTSE EPRA/ NAREIT Developed Europe and GPR 250 World | |
Adjusted EBITDA Total
Adjusted EBITDA Total is the result before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (including income from other operational investments and intragroup profits) adjusted for effects that do not relate to the period, recur irregularly and that are atypical for business operation, and for net income from fair value adjustments to investment properties. These non-recurring items include the development of new fields of business and business processes, acquisition projects, expenses for refinancing and equity increases (where not treated as capital procurement costs), IPO preparation costs and expenses for pre-retirement part-time work arrangements and severance payments. The Adjusted EBITDA Total is derived from the sum of the Adjusted EBITDA Rental, Adjusted EBITDA Value-add, Adjusted EBITDA Recurring Sales and Adjusted EBITDA Development.
Adjusted EBITDA Rental
The Adjusted EBITDA Rental is calculated by deducting the operating expenses of the Rental segment and the expenses for maintenance in the Rental segment from the Group’s rental income.
Adjusted EBITDA Value-add
The Adjusted EBITDA Value-add is calculated by deducting operating expenses from the segment’s income.
Adjusted EBITDA Recurring Sales
The Adjusted EBITDA Recurring Sales compares the proceeds generated from the privatization business with the fair values of assets sold and also deducts the related costs of sale. In order to disclose profit and revenue in the period in which they are incurred and to report a sales margin, the fair value of properties sold, valued in accordance with IFRS 5, has to be adjusted to reflect realized/unrealized changes in value.
Adjusted EBITDA Development
The Adjusted EBITDA Development includes the gross profit from the development activities of “to sell” projects (income from sold development projects less production costs) and the gross profit from the development activities of “to hold” projects (fair value of the units developed for the company’s own portfolio less incurred production costs) less the operating expenses from the Development segment.
Covenants
Requirements specified in loan agreements or bond conditions containing future obligations of the borrower or the bond obligor to meet specific requirements or to refrain from undertaking certain activities.
COSO
The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) is a private-sector U.S. organization. It was founded in 1985. In 1992, COSO published the COSO model, an SEC-recognized standard for internal controls. This provided a basis for the documentation, analysis and design of internal control systems. In 2004, the model was further developed and the COSO Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Framework was published. Since then, it has been used to structure and develop risk management systems.
CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index)
The CSI is determined at regular intervals by means of systematic customer surveys and reflects how our services are perceived and accepted by our customers. The CSI is determined on the basis of points given by the customers for our properties and their neighborhood, customer service and commercial and technical support as well as maintenance and modernization management.
European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA)
The European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) is a non-profit organization that has its registered headquarters in Brussels and represents the interests of listed European real estate companies. Its mission is to raise awareness of European listed real estate companies as a potential investment destination that offers an alternative to conventional investments. EPRA is a registered trademark of the European Public Real Estate Association.
EPRA NAV/Adjusted NAV
The presentation of the NAV based on the EPRA definition aims to show the net asset value in a long-term business model. The equity attributable to Vonovia’s shareholders is adjusted to reflect deferred taxes on investment properties, the fair value of derivative financial instruments and the deferred taxes on derivative financial instruments. In order to boost transparency, an adjusted NAV, which involves eliminating goodwill in full, is also reported.
EPRA NAV/Adjusted NAV
The presentation of the NAV based on the EPRA definition aims to show the net asset value in a long-term business model. The equity attributable to Vonovia’s shareholders is adjusted to reflect deferred taxes on investment properties, the fair value of derivative financial instruments and the deferred taxes on derivative financial instruments. In order to boost transparency, an adjusted NAV, which involves eliminating goodwill in full, is also reported.
EPRA Key Figures
For information on the EPRA key figures, we refer to the chapter on segment reporting according to EPRA.
Fair Value
Fair value is particularly relevant with regard to valuation in accordance with IAS 40 in conjunction with IFRS 13. The fair value is the amount for which an asset could be exchanged between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm’s length transaction.
GAV
The Gross Asset Value (GAV) of the recognized real estate investments. This consists of the owner-occupied properties, the investment properties including development to hold, the assets held for sale and the development to sell area. In the latter, both residential properties for which a purchase contract has been signed and those with the intention to sell – i.e., a purchase contract has not yet been signed – are included.
Group FFO
Group FFO reflects the recurring earnings from the operating business. In addition to the adjusted EBITDA for the Rental, Value-add, Recurring Sales and Development segments, Group FFO allows for recurring current net interest expenses from non-derivative financial instruments as well as current income taxes. This key figure is not determined on the basis of any specific international reporting standard but is to be regarded as a supplement to other performance indicators determined in accordance with IFRS.
Maintenance
Maintenance covers the measures that are necessary to ensure that the property can continue to be used as intended over its useful life and that eliminate structural and other defects caused by wear and tear, age and weathering effects.
Vacancy Rate
The vacancy rate is the number of empty units as a percentage of the total units owned by the company. The vacant units are counted at the end of each month.
LTV Ratio (Loan-to-Value Ratio)
The LTV ratio shows the extent to which financial liabilities are covered. It shows the ratio of non-derivative financial liabilities pursuant to IFRS, less foreign exchange rate effects, cash and cash equivalents less advance payments received by Development (period-related), receivables from disposals, plus purchase prices for outstanding acquisitions to the total fair values of the real estate portfolio, fair values of the projects/land currently under construction as well as receivables from the sale of real estate inventories (period-related) plus the fair values of outstanding acquisitions and investments in other real estate companies.
Rental Income
Rental income refers to the current gross income for rented units as agreed in the corresponding lease agreements before the deduction of non-transferable ancillary costs. The rental income from the Austrian property portfolio additionally includes maintenance and improvement contributions (EVB). The rental income from the portfolio in Sweden reflects inclusive rents, meaning that the amounts contain operating and heating costs.
Rental Income
Rental income refers to the current gross income for rented units as agreed in the corresponding lease agreements before the deduction of non-transferable ancillary costs. The rental income from the Austrian property portfolio additionally includes maintenance and improvement contributions (EVB). The rental income from the portfolio in Sweden reflects inclusive rents, meaning that the amounts contain operating and heating costs.
Modernization Measures
Modernization measures are long-term and sustainable value-enhancing investments in housing and building stocks. Energy-efficient refurbishments generally involve improvements to the building shell and communal areas as well as the heat and electricity supply systems. Typical examples are the installation of heating systems, the renovation of balconies and the retrofitting of prefabricated balconies as well as the implementation of energy-saving projects, such as the installation of double-glazed windows and heat insulation, e.g., facade insulation, insulation of the top story ceilings and basement ceilings. In addition to modernization of the apartment electrics, the refurbishment work upgrades the apartments, typically through the installation of modern and/or accessible bathrooms, the installation of new doors and the laying of high-quality and non-slip flooring. Where required, the floor plans are altered to meet changed housing needs.
Sustainability Performance Index (SPI)
Index to measure non-financial performance. A performance indicator introduced at Vonovia in January 2021 consisting of key figures on the CO2 intensity of the portfolio, primary energy requirements in new buildings, (partial) modernization measures to make apartments fully accessible, customer and employee satisfaction, and diversity within the management ranks.
Non-core Disposals
We also report on the Other segment, which is not relevant from a corporate management perspective, in our segment reporting. This includes the sale, only as and when the right opportunities present themselves, of entire buildings or land (Non-core Disposals) that are likely to have below-average development potential in terms of rent growth in the medium term and are located in areas that can be described as peripheral compared with Vonovia’s overall portfolio and in view of future acquisitions.
Recurring Sales
The Recurring Sales segment includes the regular and sustainable disposals of individual condominiums from our portfolio. It does not include the sale of entire buildings or land (Non-core Disposals). These properties are only sold as and when the right opportunities present themselves, meaning that the sales do not form part of our operating business within the narrower sense of the term. Therefore, these sales will be reported under “Other” in our segment reporting.
Fair Value Step-up
Fair value step-up is the difference between the income from selling a unit and its current fair value in relation to its fair value. It shows the percentage increase in value for the company on the sale of a unit before further costs of sale.