裁员10%！太古集团罕见动刀，旗下地产业务遭遇15年首亏

Core Viewpoint - Swire Group's Hong Kong headquarters has laid off approximately 10% of its staff, affecting around 40 employees across departments such as sustainability, finance, and risk management, including the head of sustainability, Mark Harper [1][2]. Group 1: Company Restructuring - The recent layoffs mark the first significant job cuts at Swire Group's headquarters in years, as the company aims to enhance overall efficiency and streamline processes [2]. - Swire Group, established in 1816, operates in five major sectors: real estate, aviation, beverages, marine services, and trading, employing over 121,000 people globally, with more than 500 at its Hong Kong headquarters [2]. Group 2: Real Estate Performance - Swire Properties' retail business has shown signs of recovery, with all three core shopping centers in Hong Kong maintaining a 100% occupancy rate and experiencing varying degrees of sales growth as of the end of September [2]. - Specific sales growth figures include a 3.6% increase for Taikoo Place, 3% for Taikoo City, and 0.2% for Cityplaza [2]. Group 3: Mainland Market Activity - The retail market in mainland China is more vibrant, with notable sales growth reported: 41.9% for Shanghai's Xinyi Taikoo Hui, 7.8% for Beijing's Sanlitun Taikoo Li, and 5.6% for Shanghai's Qiantan Taikoo Li [3]. Group 4: Office Property Challenges - The office property segment remains weak, with rental rates declining by 13% at Taikoo Place and 15% at Taikoo Square [5]. - As of the end of September, the overall office occupancy rate in Hong Kong was 92%, down from 93% in 2024, with Taikoo Square's occupancy dropping from 93% to 90% [5]. Group 5: Financial Performance - Swire Properties reported a significant fair value loss of HKD 4.68 billion in investment properties for the first half of the year, compared to HKD 879 million in the same period last year, primarily due to the Hong Kong office portfolio [6]. - Despite the challenges, the company achieved a revenue of HKD 8.723 billion, a 20% year-on-year increase, while the attributable recurring profit decreased by 4% to HKD 3.42 billion [6]. - This marks the first time in 15 years that Swire Properties has reported a loss in interim attributable profit, although the sale of multiple properties in Miami contributed to a 15% increase in basic earnings to HKD 4.42 billion [8].