Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Equitativa (Dubai) Limited (“Equitativa”), manager of Emirates REIT (CEIC) PLC (“Emirates REIT” or the “REIT”), today reported financial results for the quarter ended 31 March 2025 for Emirates REIT.
Total property income was USD 19 million in Q1 2025 growing 24% year-on-year on a like-for-like basis, reflecting the quality of the retained portfolio, even with the REIT having divested two properties from its portfolio – Trident Grand Mall and Office Park – during 2024.
Operational efficiency remained a key driver of performance in Q1 2025, with property operating expenses down 8.4% year-on-year to USD 3 million. Despite the exclusion of income from divested assets, net property income held steady at USD 16 million, underscoring the resilience and income-generating strength of the core portfolio. At the same time, net finance costs declined sharply by 57% to USD 6 million, driven by the successful Sukuk refinancing in late 2024 and reduced financing exposure, directly enhancing earnings and cash flow.
Reflecting the ongoing momentum in the UAE property sector and the enduring strength of Emirates REIT’s high-quality portfolio, the fair value of investment properties rose 14% year-on-year to USD 1.2 billion (AED 4.0 billion) despite strategic asset disposals. This growth was underpinned by unrealised revaluation gains of USD 149 million.
Portfolio fundamentals remained exceptionally strong, with occupancy reaching 95%, supported by a 17% year-on-year increase in commercial and retail rental rates. This performance reflects Dubai’s robust leasing environment and sustained demand for high-quality real estate, reinforcing Emirates REIT’s ability to capture value through active asset management and market positioning.
Commenting on Emirates REIT’s performance, Thierry Delvaux, CEO of Equitativa Dubai, said: “At the start of last year, we made a commitment to our shareholders that our efforts would position Emirates REIT on a path for sustained growth, and these results demonstrate how far we have come in achieving this. By reducing financing costs and maximizing returns across our portfolio, we have achieved a leaner and more efficient capital structure for the REIT that will enable us to deliver sustainable returns. We are confident that 2025 will enable us to fully capitalise on our strong position and clear strategy in a dynamic market.”
Earlier this month, the shareholders of Emirates REIT approved the resolution to distribute a final cash dividend of USD 7 million or USD 0.02 per ordinary share, for the financial year ending on 31 December 2024, as well as authorising the REIT manager to allow the payment of another dividend later in the year.
For further information, including the Q1 2025 Factsheet, please refer to the Investor Relations Page.
ABOUT EMIRATES REIT:
Emirates REIT, (Nasdaq Dubai: REIT; ISIN: AEDFXA1XE5D7), is a Dubai-based real estate investment trust investing principally in income-producing real estate in line with Shari’a principles. It currently owns a well-balanced portfolio of assets in the commercial, education and retail sector. Emirates REIT benefits from exclusive Ruler’s Decrees permitting it to purchase properties in onshore Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.
ABOUT EQUITATIVA GROUP:
The Equitativa Group is a leading regional asset manager focused on creating and managing real estate investment trusts (REITs). The group offers innovative risk-adjusted, income generating financial products that cater to institutional and retail investors. As the founder of the UAE’s first Shari’a compliant REIT, Emirates REIT, Equitativa is today one of the largest REIT managers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and one of the biggest REIT managers for Shari’a Compliant REITs in the world