Unite Group PLC (LSE:UTG) is scheduled to release a second-quarter trading update on Tuesday, with the student accommodation developer having seen its shares fall near five-year lows.
Investors have reacted to changes in stamp duty land tax, concerns over energy efficiency regulations and a slowdown in international student numbers, said analyst Danni Hewson at AJ Bell.
Shareholders and analysts will be looking for any comments on the guidance for this year, having previously indicated 97-98% occupancy, 4-5% rental growth for the 2025/26 academic year and adjusted earnings per share growth of 2-4%.
The broader REIT sector is attempting to recover from multi-year lows, supported by easing interest rates and stabilisation in asset values.
Unite trades at a mid-teens discount to its net asset value of 982p per share. A recent disposal of nine properties came in 1% below book value.
Analysts will watch for updates on the deployment of £450 million raised last year. Attention will be on new development approvals, which affect rental growth and asset valuations across Unite’s wholly-owned assets, the USAF fund and its LSAV joint venture with Singapore’s government.