eQ Plc’s half year report 2025 – eQ’s operating profit EUR 11.8 million

Core Viewpoint - eQ Plc reported a significant decline in net revenue and operating profit for the first half of 2025, attributed to challenging market conditions and poor performance in its Corporate Finance and Investments segments [4][8][15]. Financial Performance - The Group's net revenue for January to June 2025 was EUR 28.3 million, down 17% from EUR 34.2 million in the same period of 2024 [3][4]. - Operating profit decreased by 35% to EUR 11.8 million from EUR 18.1 million year-on-year [4][8]. - The profit for the period was EUR 9.3 million, a 35% decline from EUR 14.3 million [5][8]. - Consolidated earnings per share fell to EUR 0.22 from EUR 0.35, marking a 36% decrease [5][8]. Segment Performance - Asset Management segment net revenue decreased by 5% to EUR 28.6 million, with operating profit down 13% to EUR 15.2 million [4][14]. - Corporate Finance segment net revenue plummeted by 72% to EUR 0.8 million, with an operating loss of EUR -0.9 million [3][15]. - The Investments segment reported a negative operating profit of EUR -1.3 million, a significant drop from EUR 0.5 million in the previous year, impacted by valuation changes and currency fluctuations [4][17]. Market Conditions - High market volatility and geopolitical tensions, including U.S. tariffs and conflicts in the Middle East, contributed to uncertainty in the capital markets [6][7]. - Despite these challenges, some stock markets rebounded, and interest rate spreads narrowed, with the ECB continuing interest rate cuts [7]. Asset Management Developments - eQ Asset Management raised over EUR 200 million for private equity and residential funds during the review period, including USD 178 million for the eQ PE XVII US fund [10][11]. - The assets managed by eQ Asset Management grew to EUR 13.5 billion, up from EUR 13.4 billion at the end of 2024 [4][5]. Future Outlook - The real estate market remains challenging, with low liquidity and unchanged yield requirements despite falling interest rates [18][19]. - The company anticipates a potential increase in Private Equity allocations from Finnish asset management clients in the coming years, expecting an increase in Private Equity fees in 2025 [20][21].