OREANDA-NEWS. Mobimo Holding AG ("Mobimo") signed an agreement with Dual Holding SA, Fribourg, under which it is acquiring its majority interest of some 73% in Dual Real Estate Investment SA ("Dual"). With this acquisition, Mobimo is entering into the Geneva real estate market and thus continuing to expand its position in French-speaking Switzerland.

Entry into the Geneva real estate market

Dual invests successfully in residential property and in mixed-use properties in the low and medium rental brackets in the Canton of Geneva. 82% of its rental income comes from residential use, and its properties have an estimated fair value of CHF 244 million. Dual's strategy focuses on residential property with good scope for rent increases and on the long-term preservation, management and continuous maintenance of the properties that it lets. The Geneva real estate market features a very low new-build rate relative to the demand for new apartments, which results in a consistently high need for residential property. Dual is listed on the Bern eXchange.

Expansion of activities in French-speaking Switzerland Mobimo has successfully established itself in French-speaking Switzerland since its merger with LO Holding Lausanne-Ouchy S.A. in 2009. The acquisition of this shareholding adds 29 new properties in Geneva to its portfolio.

Purchase will be funded from cash resources

The purchase price will be slightly around CHF 65 million. The closing of the purchase agreement and definitive fixing of the purchase price will depend on certain regulatory conditions. The acquisition is being financed from cash holdings. Even after the purchase of the shareholding, Mobimo's equity ratio will remain above the strategic minimum threshold of 40%.

About Mobimo

Mobimo Holding AG was established in Lucerne in 1999 and has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 2005. The Mobimo Group has an attractive portfolio mix of investment properties that provide stable income and development properties offering extensive value enhancement potential. Investments are made in promising locations, primarily in the economic areas of Zurich and Lausanne/Geneva, together with those of Basel, Lucerne/Zug, Aarau and St. Gallen. With a total property portfolio of around CHF 2.5 billion, Mobimo is one of the leading real estate companies in Switzerland. The pipeline includes development properties for the company's own portfolio with an investment volume of CHF 0.9 billion (as at 30 June 2015).

About Dual Real Estate Investment AG 

Dual Real Estate Investment SA (DREI) was established in autumn 2012 and has been listed on the Bern eXchange since 28 January 2013. Its portfolio comprises mainly residential properties in the Canton of Geneva. The 29 properties were bought between 2003 and 2010 and represent an estimated fair value of CHF 244 million (as at 31 December 2014).