Gecina Company Review and Investment Insights

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Exterior of old elegant building with sculptures and mansard windows built in renaissance architectural style and located in Paris
Credit: pexels.com, Exterior of old elegant building with sculptures and mansard windows built in renaissance architectural style and located in Paris

Gecina is a leading real estate company in Europe, with a strong presence in France. They have a diverse portfolio of properties, including offices, residential buildings, and logistics facilities.

Gecina was founded in 1997, making it a relatively young company. However, its roots date back to 1968 when it was established as a subsidiary of the Compagnie de Saint-Gobain.

Gecina has a significant presence in the French market, with a portfolio of over 3,000 properties across the country. This includes iconic buildings like the Tour Montparnasse in Paris.

Gecina's focus on sustainability is evident in its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. The company aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, a goal that is in line with the Paris Agreement.

Company Overview

Gecina was created in January 1959 as Groupement pour le Financement de la Construction (GFC), attracting funds from around 60 insurance companies to finance the development of residential buildings.

The company changed its name to Gecina in 1998 after acquiring the real estate company Foncina. Gecina continued to grow and develop, almost doubling in size with the takeover of Simco in 2003 to become France's largest real estate group.

Gecina has a strong presence in the Parisian market, with more than 87 percent of its properties located within the Paris area as of 1999. The company's portfolio is valued at over FFr 26.5 billion (EUR 4.1 billion).

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History

Paris
Credit: pexels.com, Paris

Gecina was created in January 1959 as Groupement pour le Financement de la Construction (GFC), attracting funds from around 60 insurance companies to finance the development of residential buildings.

The company changed its name to Gecina in 1998, marking a significant milestone in its history. Gecina continued to develop, acquiring several real estate companies.

In 2003, Gecina almost doubled in size with the takeover of Simco, becoming France's largest real estate group. Gecina adopted the “SIIC” real estate investment trust status, enabling it to diversify its portfolio.

Gecina's expansion continued with the acquisition of Eurosic in June 2017 for 3.3 billion euros, making it Europe's fourth-largest real estate group and the market leader for office real estate.

Business Description

Gecina's business model relies heavily on an active switching and enhancement policy, which has been crucial to its expansion.

The company has a consistently high standard of rental services, which has helped it attract and retain clients.

Concrete Buildings
Credit: pexels.com, Concrete Buildings

Gecina's acquisition growth strategy has been key to its success, with notable acquisitions including Immobilier Batibail and Sefimeg.

By acquiring these companies, Gecina was able to more than double its assets to over FFr 26.5 billion (EUR 4.1 billion) in just one year.

The company's focus on the Parisian market has been a major factor in its success, with over 87 percent of its properties located within the Paris area.

Gecina's portfolio is diverse, with Haussmann buildings accounting for 23 percent of floor space and commercial property topping 36 percent of the company's portfolio.

The company's leadership position in the Parisian real estate market is a testament to its successful business model.

Gecina's expansion has also led to the creation of new properties, such as the Carré Saint-Germain complex in Paris's sixth arrondissement.

The company's investment in this project, totaling FFr 750 million, aims to generate a profit of 7.5 percent.

Gecina's restructuring program has helped the company manage its subsidiaries and portfolio more effectively.

By merging entities and selling off underperforming assets, the company has been able to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

Antoine Jeancourt-Galignani took over as chairman after Eliane Sermondadaz stepped down, and later named Serge Gryzbowski as the new CEO.

Portfolio

Architectural Photography of Buildings
Credit: pexels.com, Architectural Photography of Buildings

Gecina's portfolio is a testament to its commitment to quality and innovation. The company's properties are designed by leading French and international architects, including Ateliers Jean Nouvel and Foster + Partners.

Some of the notable buildings in the portfolio include the Tour Mirabeau, Tour Horizons, and Tour T1. These iconic structures are a hallmark of Gecina's expertise in real estate development.

Gecina's portfolio also includes a range of commercial properties, such as the Carré Saint-Germain complex in Paris's prestigious sixth arrondissement. This complex features a mix of retail and office space, showcasing the company's ability to create vibrant and functional spaces.

The company has a diverse range of properties, each with its own unique character and charm. From historic Haussmann buildings to modern glass towers, Gecina's portfolio is a reflection of its commitment to excellence and innovation.

Here are some notable properties in Gecina's portfolio:

  • Tour Mirabeau
  • Tour Horizons
  • Tour T1
  • Carré Saint-Germain complex

Gecina's focus on quality and innovation has earned the company a reputation as a leader in the Parisian real estate market. Its portfolio is a testament to this commitment, featuring a range of properties that are both functional and beautiful.

Investment and Performance

Low-angle Photography of Building
Credit: pexels.com, Low-angle Photography of Building

Gecina's share price has had its ups and downs, with a 52 Week High of €107.60 and a 52 Week Low of €85.15. The current share price is €90.55.

Over the past year, Gecina has matched the French Market's return of 0.7%, but exceeded the French Office REITs industry's return of -5.8%. In the past three years, Gecina's share price has decreased by 10.70%, and over the past five years, it has dropped by 43.62%.

Here's a summary of Gecina's performance over the past year:

Price History & Performance

In the past year, GFC's share price has shown a modest increase of 0.39%, while the French Market returned 0.7%.

The 52-week high for GFC's share price was €107.60, while the 52-week low was €85.15. This indicates a significant range of price fluctuations over the past year.

To put this into perspective, the beta of GFC's share price is 1.13, indicating a moderate level of volatility.

Here's a summary of GFC's share price performance over various time periods:

Analysts' Recommendations:

Curtain Wall Building
Credit: pexels.com, Curtain Wall Building

Gecina has received positive recommendations from various analysts. Invest Securities hailed the company's results in February.

Berenberg has renewed its buy recommendation for Gecina, setting a target of 120 euros. This recommendation was made on January 8th.

HSBC has upgraded its rating for Gecina to Buy, also lifting its price target. This move was announced on January 30th.

The outlook for Gecina in 2025 remains favourable, according to analysts. This positive outlook was noted on February 13th.

Here's a summary of the analysts' recommendations:

Competitors

In the world of investment, there are many players vying for your attention. One of the biggest competitors to traditional investment methods is index funds, which have been shown to outperform actively managed funds in many cases.

Index funds are a type of investment that tracks a specific market index, such as the S&P 500, and have been found to have a lower average annual return of 7.6% compared to actively managed funds, which have an average annual return of 7.8%.

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Low-angle Photography of High-rise Building
Credit: pexels.com, Low-angle Photography of High-rise Building

The fees associated with index funds are also significantly lower, with an average expense ratio of 0.17%, compared to actively managed funds, which have an average expense ratio of 1.04%. This can add up to big savings over time.

Another competitor to traditional investment methods is robo-advisors, which use algorithms to manage investment portfolios and have been found to offer lower fees and higher returns than traditional financial advisors.

Governance and Management

Gecina's governance and management structure is impressive, with a strong focus on representation and diversity.

Méka Brunel was appointed as the company's chief executive officer in January 2017, a significant milestone in the company's history.

The company has consistently ranked high in the SBF 120 for women's representation in management structures, a testament to its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Here are some key members of Gecina's management team:

The Board of Directors is composed of experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds and expertise, ensuring a well-rounded and informed decision-making process.

Inès Archer-Toper, Claude Gendron, Dominique Dudan, Laurence Danon-Arnaud, Gabrielle Gauthey, Jérôme Brunel, Karim Habra, Carole Le Gall, Beñat Ortega, and Jacques Stern are all members of the Board of Directors, each bringing their unique perspective and skills to the table.

Financials

PARIS, FRANCE - October, 15, 2022 Defence Arch esplanade (La Defense) with view over modern office business steel and glass buildings and square in front of the arch with Popolo Street P...
Credit: pexels.com, PARIS, FRANCE - October, 15, 2022 Defence Arch esplanade (La Defense) with view over modern office business steel and glass buildings and square in front of the arch with Popolo Street P...

Gecina is a French real estate investment company that focuses on owning and managing commercial properties in France, primarily in the Paris region.

Their financials are quite impressive, with a market capitalization of over €10 billion.

Gecina's revenue for 2020 was €1.04 billion, with a net income of €444 million.

Their occupancy rate for 2020 was 94.6%, indicating a high level of demand for their properties.

Gecina has a strong track record of dividend payments, with a yield of 4.3% as of 2020.

Their debt-to-equity ratio is relatively low, at 0.43, indicating a healthy balance sheet.

Stock and ETFs

If you're looking to invest in the real estate sector, Gecina is a notable option. Gecina's market value is approximately 6.97 billion US dollars.

The company's performance has been relatively stable, with a 5-day change of +0.56%. However, its 1-year change is a bit more concerning, with a decrease of -1.47%.

Here's a list of other notable real estate companies and their market values:

The average market value of these companies is around 6.02 billion US dollars.

Stock Information

Facade of contemporary hotel and residential house in Paris
Credit: pexels.com, Facade of contemporary hotel and residential house in Paris

Gecina's stock has experienced a 5-day change of +0.56%, with a 1st Jan change of -1.47% and a 1st Jan change of +0.11%.

The company's shareholder returns are impressive, with a 7-day return of -1.5% outpacing the French Office REITs industry's return of -5.8% over the past year.

Here's a snapshot of Gecina's shareholder returns compared to the industry:

In terms of market performance, Gecina's stock is listed on Euronext Paris with a current market price of 90.55 euros.

Shareholders

Gecina's shareholders are a diverse group, with several notable institutions holding significant stakes in the company. The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is the largest shareholder, holding 15.08% of the company's shares.

The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec owns 11,575,623 shares of Gecina, valued at €1.134 billion. Predica Prévoyance Dialogue du Crédit Agricole SA (Invt Port) is another major shareholder, holding 13.59% of the company's shares.

The following table shows the top shareholders of Gecina:

These shareholders have significant stakes in Gecina, and their interests are likely to be closely tied to the company's performance.

FR0010040865

Low-angle Photography of Building
Credit: pexels.com, Low-angle Photography of Building

FR0010040865 provides the stock information for Gecina SA. It shows that the market is closed on Euronext Paris, but we can see the latest price and changes.

The stock price as of 11:38:07 EST on 2025-02-28 is 90.55.

A 5-day change of +0.56% is noted, indicating a slight increase in the stock's value over the past five days.

The 1st January change is -1.47%, showing a decrease in the stock's value at the beginning of the year.

There's also a +0.11% change noted, but it's unclear when this change occurred.

Here's a summary of the changes:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gecina a reit?

Yes, Gecina is a French real estate investment trust (SIIC). It's listed on Euronext Paris and part of several major stock market indices.

How much is Gecina portfolio worth?

Gecina's portfolio is valued at 17.1 billion euros. Discover more about Gecina's business and its significant market presence.

Elena Feeney-Jacobs

Junior Writer

Elena Feeney-Jacobs is a seasoned writer with a deep interest in the Australian real estate market. Her insightful articles have shed light on the operations of major real estate companies and investment trusts, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the industry. She has a particular focus on companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and those based in Sydney, offering valuable insights into the local and national economies.

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