Highlights

  • UTG revenue rose 14% in H1 FY25, driven by higher rental income across 150+ properties.
  • Profit for the period declined 34.3% year-on-year, largely due to increased finance costs.
  • Management expects rental growth and healthy occupancy levels to support FY25 financial performance.

Unite Group PLC (LSE:UTG), part of the FTSE AIM 100 Index, is a UK-focused real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in purpose-built student housing. The company owns, operates, and develops more than 150 properties across 23 university towns and cities, accommodating around 70,000 students. Its residences mainly offer en-suite study bedrooms, with rental packages that include utilities, insurance, and round-the-clock security.

Financial Performance

The company reported total revenue of GBP 181.1 million in H1 FY25, an increase of 14% compared to GBP 158.9 million in the same period last year. Growth was largely supported by high rental income across the portfolio.

Operating performance also improved. Results from operating activities rose to GBP 109.5 million, up 8.1% from GBP 101.3 million in H1 FY24, reflecting higher rental contributions and stable operating cost management.

However, profitability at the bottom line softened. Profit for the period declined to GBP 186.1 million, compared with GBP 283.3 million a year earlier, representing a 34.3% year‑on‑year decline. The reduction was primarily linked to an increase in finance costs, which weighed on net results despite favourable operating income. In H1FY25, the debt-to-equity ratio eased to 0.28x, reflecting a lower dependence on borrowed funds. The current ratio increased to 1.58x, pointing to a better near‑term liquidity position and an overall improvement in the company’s ability to meet short‑term obligations.

Company Outlook

Management expects the financial year 2025 to be supported by a rise in student enrolments, which in turn helps underpin their goals for rental growth and healthy occupancy levels. The company has reaffirmed its financial guidance, supported by a steady flow of recurring earnings.

Looking ahead, the medium‑term plan remains centred on expanding its development pipeline and working closely with universities to deliver new accommodation projects. These initiatives are backed by the organisation’s long‑standing relationships in the sector and its ability to bring new sites into operation efficiently.

Top 10 shareholders

The top 10 shareholders collectively own about ~57.19% of the company's total shares. CPP Investment Board and Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) Limited hold a maximum stake in the company at ~14.84% and ~8.89%, respectively.

Stock Information

UTG gained ~4.57% over three months and has declined ~28.90% over six months and ~31.41% year-on-year. The stock recorded a 52-week high of GBX 885.61 on 8 December 2025, and a 52-week low of GBX 503.50 on 22 April 2025.

Note 1: Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Note 2: The reference date for all price data, currency, technical indicators, support, and resistance levels is 19 January 2026. The reference data in this report has been partly sourced from EODHD/Others.

Technical Indicators Defined: -

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 Resistance: A level at which the stock prices tend to find resistance when they are rising, and an uptrend may take a pause due to profit booking or selling interest. Resistance 1 refers to the nearby resistance level for the stock and if the price surpasses the level, then Resistance 2 may act as the crucial resistance level for the stock.