Helvetica: Finma approves plan for fund merger

The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has approved the plan to merge the Helvetica Swiss Opportunity Fund (HSO) with its larger sister fund Helvetica Swiss Commercial (HSC). Helvetica's two commercial real estate funds are to be merged on June 20 with retroactive effect from April 30. The HSC Fund will act as the acquiring fund and the merged fund will bear its name. The audited exchange ratio, based on the valuations (NAV) as of April 30, 2025, is to be announced on June 20 after the close of trading. The first trading day of the combined real estate fund is scheduled for June 23.

According to Helvetica, the merger of the funds is expected to result in greater diversification and higher liquidity as well as improved tradability and a stronger market presence. The combined HSC Fund is expected to comprise 37 properties with a total value of around CHF 760 million. It invests in pure commercial properties in predominantly suburban, fast-growing and well-developed locations in German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland. The types of use range from commercial, production, light industrial, office and retail; according to Helvetica, the largest tenant accounts for less than 5 % of the total portfolio. (aw)