SATO Corporation’s Financial Statements Release 2025: SATO recorded profitable growth in a challenging market environment

Core Viewpoint - SATO Corporation faced ongoing challenges in the rental housing market due to oversupply and intense competition, yet managed to achieve positive financial results in 2025, demonstrating resilience and strategic focus on profitability and customer experience [4][5][9]. Financial Performance - The economic occupancy rate was 95.4%, slightly down from 95.5% in 2024 [5][10]. - Net sales increased to EUR 316.1 million, up from EUR 304.1 million in 2024 [5][10]. - Net rental income rose to EUR 222.9 million, compared to EUR 214.4 million in the previous year [5][10]. - Operating profit grew to EUR 188.4 million, an increase from EUR 185.6 million [5]. - Profit before taxes improved to EUR 106.1 million, up from EUR 105.4 million [5][10]. - Earnings per share were EUR 1.00, down from EUR 1.04 in 2024 [5][10]. - The fair value of investment properties increased to EUR 5,237.4 million from EUR 4,971.4 million [5][10]. Investment and Growth - SATO made significant housing investments amounting to EUR 239.8 million, a substantial increase from EUR 48.6 million in 2024 [5][10]. - The total number of SATOhomes increased to approximately 27,000, following the acquisition of 16 high-quality properties [6][10]. - No new properties were completed during the year, and there are currently no new builds under construction [7]. Market Environment - The Finnish economy showed minimal growth in 2025, with a forecasted growth of only 0.2% [12]. - Consumer confidence remained low, impacting private consumption, although a recovery is expected in 2026 [13][14]. - The oversupply of rental homes continues to be a challenge, particularly in growth centers, but demand is anticipated to rise due to urbanization and demographic changes [16][17]. Strategic Initiatives - SATO launched a webshop for rental homes, with one in ten SATOhomes rented through this platform by year-end [8]. - The company focused on improving energy efficiency in its existing housing stock, with significant investments in geothermal heating and solar power systems [7][10]. - SATO aims to enhance customer experience through increased digital services and proximity to customers [18]. Future Outlook - The operating environment for SATO is influenced by factors such as consumer confidence, maintenance costs, and interest rates [11]. - The company will not provide earnings guidance for 2026, aligning with its majority shareholder's operating model [18].