It was nice with you $VNA (+0,06%) but you are too defensive for me 🙋🏽‍♂️

The DAX has risen by more than 70 percent since 2021. However, since this financial year, companies' annual dividend payments have only increased by a good five percent. The result of these different speeds is falling dividend yields.

A Handelsblatt analysis shows: Only five companies still offer shareholders a yield of more than three and a half percent based on their most recently paid dividend - in other words, significantly more than can be obtained from banks with overnight money.

This does not include shares in companies with high dividend yields, but where there is a threat of a cut in the payout next spring - as is the case with car manufacturers. BMW $BMW (+0,13%), Mercedes $MBG (+2,07%) and VW $VOW (-0,63%) achieve record-high dividend yields of up to 8.3 percent, but these are worth little due to an expected lower payout in the future.

From today's perspective, investors can be sure that no cuts are imminent for the shares presented below, provided nothing dramatic happens.

Munich Re: More than 20 euros dividend

At 20 euros per share, five euros more than in the previous year, Munich Re distributed $MUV2 (-0,31%) paid out more than any other DAX company this spring. Analysts are forecasting an average of €21.48 for 2026. Based on the previous distribution, the dividend yield is 3.8 percent.

One of the strongest arguments for buying the share is its reliability. The payout has never fallen since 1969 and has risen eight times in the past ten years.

Eon: Boring, but reliable

Years ago, Eon set itself the $EOAN (+0,56%) set itself the target of increasing its dividend by five percent annually. This means that the dividend will rise by two cents to 57 cents next spring. This would be the fifth two-cent increase in a row. Based on the previous distribution, the dividend yield is 3.6 percent.

DHL: top yield of 4.8 percent

For 17 years, DHL $DHL (+0,32%) has not lowered its dividend for 17 years, and this is unlikely to change in 2026. The last cut was in the crisis year 2008, and analysts expect an average of EUR 1.87 per share for next spring. In view of the challenges, particularly in the US business, Handelsblatt only expects the dividend to remain unchanged at EUR 1.85.

Based on the current share price, shareholders will achieve a dividend yield of 4.8 percent if the payout remains the same. None of the shares portrayed here offer that much.

Vonovia: Strong rental business

Analysts expect Vonovia $VNA (+0,06%) to achieve an average net profit of two billion euros this year.

The dividend is expected to average EUR 1.25, compared to EUR 1.22 last spring. Based on the previous distribution, the dividend yield is 4.6 percent. This is the second highest among the stocks portrayed here.

Rent increases and almost full occupancy of the apartments ensure consistently high profits in the operating business - which was also the case in 2023.

Allianz: High yield with upside potential

Looking at the year as a whole, analysts are forecasting a record net profit for Allianz $ALV (-0,22%) a record-high net profit of 10.7 billion euros, compared to 9.9 billion euros in the previous year. This means that nothing stands in the way of another dividend increase. The dividend has been increased nine times in the past ten years. The last cut was in the 2008 financial year, when the real estate and financial crisis hit the markets.

Analysts are forecasting an average dividend of EUR 16.74 per share for the 2026 Annual General Meeting. Last year, the dividend was EUR 15.40, which already results in a considerable dividend yield of 4.4%. At 16.74 euros, the yield would be 4.75%.

Around 60 percent of the net profit went to shareholders this spring, which is the international standard for mature large corporations. The share price has doubled in the past three years.

Source: Text (excerpt) & picture Handelsblatt, 16.09.25

At 54 billion euros, the 40 companies listed in Germany's leading index, the Dax, paid out as much to their shareholders this year as in the previous record year.

However, only 21.7 billion euros of these dividends, three percent less than in the previous year, went to domestic investors. 26.9 billion euros were transferred abroad. That was 2.4% more than a year ago and more than ever before.

52.6 percent of shares in the top listed companies are in the hands of foreign investors. Only one third of Dax shares are still held in Germany - almost one percentage point less than in the previous year. Around 14 percent of shares cannot be clearly allocated to a specific region.

This is shown by a recent study by management consultants EY, which was made available to Handelsblatt in advance. According to the study, 24 of the 40 DAX companies, three more than in the previous year, are predominantly held by foreign investors.

The highest foreign share is held by diagnostics specialist $QGEN (+0,97%) Qiagen with 93 percent, followed by the chemicals trader $BNR (+0,66%) Brenntag with 88 percent. The aviation supplier $MTX (+1%) MTU , the real estate group $VNA (+0,06%) Vonovia and the Frankfurt stock exchange operator $DB1 (-1,84%) Deutsche Börse, four out of five shares are held in foreign portfolios.

The highest transfer abroad was made by $ALV (-0,22%) Allianz. The insurer, 58 percent of whose shares are held outside Germany, paid dividends of just under 3.5 billion euros to foreign investors after its Annual General Meeting on May 8. Just under 2.5 billion euros flowed into the accounts of German investors.

The industrial group $SIE (-0,19%) Siemens, the car manufacturer $MBG (+2,07%) Mercedes and the telecommunications provider $DTE (-0,22%) Deutsche Telekom each transferred more than two billion euros to foreign investors. The shares of all four companies have been among the highest dividend-paying stocks in the DAX for years: measured in terms of the absolute amount, but also in terms of the yield and reliability of the distributions.

US investors in particular have significantly increased their exposure to the top German companies in recent years, while at the same time investors from other European countries have become more cautious: Since 2010, the proportion of North American investors in those DAX companies for which corresponding time series are available has risen from 17.1 to currently 25.4 percent. The proportion of European investors, on the other hand, fell from 25.7% to 22.9%.

Henrik Ahlers, Chairman of the EY Management Board, sees the strong commitment of foreign investors as "proof of the continued attractiveness of top German companies and the trust that these companies enjoy worldwide". Although the problems of Germany as a business location are well known, "most DAX companies are now so strongly positioned worldwide that Germany is just one of many markets".

According to Ahlers, the recent good share price performance also testifies to the trust that top German companies continue to enjoy worldwide. It proves the reputation and credibility of major German corporations on the global market.

Source (excerpt) & graphic (excerpt): Handelsblatt, 04.08.25

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Greetings :)

I'm almost too interested in the whole stock market topic. Over the last few weeks, I've been completely fixated on shares and finance.

Every day I've been following the posts on the platform, looking through all the portfolios and thinking about what to do next.

Sometimes I ignored the saying "time in the market beats timing the market" and unconsciously started gambling.

I thought about investment strategies every day. Sometimes I simply implemented crazy ideas, which I thought were stupid the next day.

My starting position was 4 ETFs. An All World, a Europe, an Asia and the Gerd Kommer ETF as mentioned in the previous post.

In the end, I decided on the $VWRL (+0,15%) . I sold each ETF to create 2 new positions with the total amount. $SESG (-3,7%) & $VNA (+0,06%) to open. The rest of the total amount was placed entirely in the ETF. I had been watching both individual stocks for a while now and had read up on them. I am convinced of both companies so far. Both make up 6% of the portfolio and will be added to later when the time is right.

In addition, I add $SIE (-0,19%) back into my portfolio via a savings plan. I save this position until it has reached a weighting of 10% in the portfolio.

Once this has been reached, I would like to take the same step with an insurer. However, I have not yet decided whether this will also be a German share like $ALV (-0,22%) or whether I will opt for a Swiss share like $SREN (+0,33%) will be chosen.

Besides, I still have stocks on the screen like $NVDA (-0,81%) | $AMD (-3,54%) | $GOOGL (-0,69%) | $BATS (-1,02%) | $KO (+0,56%) which I am actually convinced of, but am only observing for the time being.

Stocks like $KTN (-1,89%) | $RTLL (+0,57%) | $8001 (+0,68%) | $SOFI (-2,95%) | $6861 (+1,69%) are and will remain quite interesting, but I still have some uncertainties.

$BTC (+1,59%) will find its way into my portfolio sooner or later. Unfortunately, I don't have the money to open another position. So I'll wait and see

Brief battle plan:

• asset accumulation
• Higher savings plan + focus on one ETF
• Add or expand positions through dividends.
• Enforce 10% share limit
• Keep calm and don't become stingy again

Should work.

PS: the vacation pay thing was completely nonsensical.

Let's forget that, please :).

The start of summer in June combined sport and leisure for me. By that I mean swimming, hiking, running and sport at home. Apart from the incoming dividends, I hardly noticed anything on the stock market. It was not the strongest distribution month due to the postponement of three distributions, but it was still a very strong one. Time for a review.

Overall performance

The portfolio tended to tread water in June, but that is no cause for concern. Bit by bit, it is fighting its way out of the lows of the customs conflict. And cash flow continues to be generated by distributions to the clearing accounts. The key performance indicators are:

• TTWROR (month of May): +0.19 %
• TTWROR (since inception): +65,45 %
• IZF (month of May): +2.47 %
• IZF (since inception): +10,21 %
• Delta: +€148.63
• Absolute change: +1,173.63 €

Share allocation & performance

Which shares performed particularly well in June? Which are at the top and which at the bottom of the rankings? Which were the biggest losers?

Size of individual share positions by volume

• Share: Share of total portfolio in % (securities account)
• $AVGO (-0,54%) 2.78 % (main share portfolio)
• $NFLX (-1,08%) 2.20 % (main share portfolio)
• $WMT (+0,16%) 1.71 % (main share portfolio)
• $SAP (-0,74%) 1.59 % (main share portfolio)
• $FAST (-0,83%) 1.55 % (main share portfolio)

Smallest individual share positions by volume:

• Share: Share of total portfolio in % (securities account)
• $SHEL (+1,6%) 0.44 % (crypto follow-on portfolio)
• $HSBA (+1,24%) 0.54 % (crypto follow-on portfolio)
• $TGT (-0,73%) 0.62 % (main share portfolio)
• $GIS (-0,44%) 0.63 % (main share portfolio)
• $CPB (+0,24%) 0.64 % (main share portfolio)

Top-performing individual shares

• Share: Performance since first purchase % (securities account)
• $AVGO (-0,54%) : +261 % (main share portfolio)
• $NFLX (-1,08%) : +198 % (main share portfolio)
• $SAP (-0,74%) +106 % (main share portfolio)
• $WMT (+0,16%) : +68 % (main share portfolio)
• $RSG (+0,03%) +47 % (main share portfolio)

Flop performer individual shares

• Share: Performance since first purchase % (securities account)
• $DHR (+2,14%) -57 % (main share portfolio)
• $CPB (+0,24%) -42 % (main share portfolio)
• $TGT (-0,73%) -37 % (main share portfolio)
• $GIS (-0,44%) -36 % (main share portfolio)
• $NKE (-3,52%) -30 % (main share portfolio)

ETFs vs. shares

The breakdown of ETFs vs. shares across all portfolios is 38.7% to 61.3%. This differs from the breakdown of my ETFs to equities savings plans (43% to 57%). Equities have performed better, which is due to the fact that I also include high-dividend ETFs in the ETFs.

Investments and additional purchases

Here is a brief overview of what I have invested in savings plans according to my fixed planning.

• Planned savings plan amount from the fixed net salary: €1,030
• Planned savings plan amount from the fixed net salary, with reinvested dividends: €1,140
• Savings ratio of the savings plans to the fixed net salary: 49.75

In addition, there were the following additional investments from returns, refunds, cashback, etc. as one-off savings plans/repurchases:

• Subsequent purchases/one-off savings plans as cashback annuity from refunds: € 32.32
• Automatically reinvested dividend by broker: € 7.25 (Function is only activated for an old custody account, as I want to control the reinvestment myself)

Additional purchases were made from other surpluses:

• Number of additional purchases: 2
• 25.00 € for $FGEQ (+0,11%)

There were no additional purchases from the components of my cashback pension (e.g. reimbursements from health insurance premiums, insurance premiums, shopping vouchers, etc.) this month.

If you would like to know how my cashback pension supplements my equity and ETF pension, please let me know.

Passive income from dividends

My income from dividends amounted to € 152.30 (€ 179.04 in the same month last year). This corresponds to an increase of -14.94 % compared to the same month last year. The following is further key data on the distributions:

• Number of dividend payments: 31
• Number of payment days: 15 days
• Average dividend per payment: € 4.91
• average dividend per payday: € 10.15

The top payers are:

• $VNA (+0,06%)
• 
  $ARCC (-1,13%)
• 
  $TDIV (+0,54%)

My passive income from dividends (and some interest) mathematically covered 15.91% of my expenses in the month under review.

Crypto performance

My crypto investments also moved a little:

• Monthly performance portfolio: +3.81 %
• Performance since inception: +79.49 %
• Proportion of holdings for which the tax holding period has expired: 100%. This means that there have been no additional purchases for over a year.
• Crypto share of the total portfolio: 2.19 %

I find the topic exciting, but it is very underrepresented in my overall portfolio due to my passive income strategy. The first profits have already been realized and more will definitely follow. For me, crypto is a lever to turn play money into even more play money, which is then put into the solid distributors to make the income snowball grow bigger and bigger. New accumulation will take place in the coming bear market.

Performance comparison: portfolio vs. benchmarks

A comparison of my portfolio with two important ETFs shows:

• TTWROR (current month): +0.19 %
• $VWRL (+0,15%) : +0.39 %
• $VUSA (-0,24%) : +1.24 %

Outlook and conclusion

I'm using the summer, which has already begun, not only for hiking, but also for city trips for my "non-financial" TikTok and Insta channel. I can often be found at one of the lakes near Leipzig, which were once created from the open-cast mining pits of the brown coal era. It's nice that the lunar landscapes have become a local recreation area. That's why I'm less active at the moment. That will certainly change again in the fall.

For now, I'm just enjoying life, and my money continues to work stubbornly and steadily for me in the background. Current events in the world and in politics don't interest me in the slightest. As I write this review, the first third of the summer will soon be over.

👉 You want my review as an Instagram post?

Then follow me on Instagram:

📲 You'll find regular posts there as well as the portfolio and budget review: @frugalfreisein

How did your June at the depot go? Do you have any tops & flops to share? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Hello does anyone know when the price will be announced or what the price of the stock dividend is from $VNA (+0,06%) ? Thanks ☺️

The first quarter of 2025 is over. In March, real assets recorded declines, both in equities and ETFs and especially in cryptocurrencies. The markets have become increasingly volatile. While many are panicking, I have been enjoying the first signs of spring, hiking and continuing to winter bathe diligently.

For the past month of March 2025, I present the following points:

➡️ SHARES

➡️ ETFS

➡️ DISTRIBUTIONS

➡️ CASHBACK

➡️ AFTER-PURCHASES

➡️ P2P CREDITS

➡️ CRYPTO

➡️ AND OTHER?

➡️ OUTLOOK

➡️ Shares

There was a considerable setback in March, and not just in equities. The reason for this is the customs issue, on which I have already formulated my thesis, which many believe to be correct. To summarize briefly: Markets are being depressed to get investors into bonds, which lowers bond yields and allows US debt to be refinanced at a lower interest rate. After the refinancing of short-term US government bonds, the tariffs are put into perspective and the next upswing follows, which Trump can boast about. Whether this assumption is correct remains to be seen. However, it would make sense in the long term to slash US spending. Even if the D.O.G.E. does a good job, you can't cut everything without incurring the displeasure of the population.

A look at the depot shows the front-runner $AVGO (-0,54%) and its companion $NFLX (-1,08%) both currently only 150% up, despite a significant setback. I am unimpressed by this development, as the capital market is always facing worse times, which will be followed by better ones. According to André Kostolany, it is now the "shaky hands" that are significantly triggering the sell-off. Yes, change your perspective: the red sign in your portfolio is irrelevant, now is the time to buy more. Enormous overvaluations in tech stocks have been reduced and they may now be available at a fairer price. There are also attractive defensive value stocks on offer, ideal for a dividend portfolio.

Second and fourth place in my individual share portfolio are still occupied by $WMT (+0,16%) and $SAP (-0,74%) . Walmart can now prove that it acts as a stable anchor in the portfolio even in bad times. In sixth place is a stock that I did not expect to be in the top 10. Like me, many of you have shares in $WM (+1,06%) but the stock I am looking for is its competitor: $RSG (-1,34%) . I have been watching the rise of this stock even before the pressure from Trump and I am happy about it. This is an example of a defensive stock. Garbage collection is necessary and Republic Services, like Waste Management, will literally turn garbage into gold for shareholders 50 years from now. Anyone complaining about their portfolio being down 50% probably has too much tech and too little defensive. My overall portfolio currently stands at around -12%. That's OK in the current macro environment.

Which brings us to the subject of performance: $NKE0 (-3,3%) and $DHR (+2,14%) returned around -39% at the end of March.

➡️ ETFs

They are also recording significant losses. It is important to remain calm and continue investing. Such phases are part of the game. I will not repeat further details.

➡️ Distributions

In March, I received 31 distributions on 15 payout days. I am grateful for this additional income stream. Everyone should build up such additional income.

This time, the distributions from my three large ETFs were not made on March 31, but in the first few days of April. This means that there should theoretically be 34 distributions. Numerous corrections and cancellations of dividends from REITs were not taken into account. With $O (+0,29%) , $OHI (-0,44%) , $LTC (-1,31%) and $STAG (+1,35%) there were therefore some cancellations and new dividend distributions. Although this was a major bureaucratic effort, it was usually a cause for celebration. This is because the REITs initially distribute dividends from current net income. If there are then corrections in the following year, it is determined that a distribution is also made from the already taxed retained earnings. This subsequently reduces the company's tax burden and I have noticed that I pay less capital gains tax and solidarity surcharge. So more cash in my pocket for reinvestment.

➡️ Cashback

In March, I received a small amount of income from an expense report, which I invested directly in my custody account. More on this under subsequent purchases.

➡️ Subsequent purchases

The additional purchases were financed from the expense report and, above all, from the bonus paid out by my employer. I am grateful for this, as my employer is not doing well at the moment.

I made numerous additional purchases in several ETFs that are in my small old portfolios. I invested smaller sums $GGRP (+0,34%) , $JEGP (-0,36%) , $SPYW (+0,09%) , $FGEQ (+0,11%) and $SPYD (+0,46%) and bought a larger sum in shares of the $IWDP. On the last Friday in March, I checked my portfolio and realized that, despite careful use of the surplus, there was more cash left than I had expected. I therefore made a small additional purchase in the $VNA (+0,06%) . For me, Vonovia (like the REITs) is a kind of hedge against my own rising rent.

➡️ P2P loans

With my last P2P platform, Mintos, there were no interest or redemption payments. I still intend to withdraw all funds where released. I would even accept a full write-off to get out of the platform. The remaining amount is no longer relevant to me.

➡️ Crypto

Crypto investors continued to experience significant volatility in March. The double top predicted by some does not seem to be materializing and the indicators do not currently point to a steep rise. I am studying the charting and the macro environment for crypto, although I still have a lot to learn here. Patience and calm are still required. I am sticking to my cycle strategy, the macro situation confirms me, so there is no need for me to take any action.

➡️ And what else?

I'm currently deepening my knowledge of AI. The posts on my Instagram channel that I published in March (and others that will follow in April) were created with the help of AI. I explained my approaches, beliefs about finance and the frugal lifestyle, and my goals to AI. The AI then created suggestions for Instagram posts, including prompts and allowing for a week break at the end of the month.

There is still a lot for me to learn. I am using AI more and more intensively and deeply in my professional and private life. While colleagues are happy that an AI can write emails for them, I use it much more extensively, for example to have technical content and its effects on departments and companies explained to me at work or to have economic relationships explained to me in my private life. In addition to ChatGPT, I particularly like Grok by X, as this AI always asks questions and thus enables a fluid conversation. The AI doesn't just reproduce facts, but also evaluates my ideas and classifies them, for example whether I should already use part of my nest egg to buy more quality stocks at favorable prices. Her suggestion was perhaps to wait until after the refinancing of short-term US government debt, when there might be less downward volatility in the market. This recommendation is based on my thesis mentioned above.

March was also a month of fasting for me, not for religious reasons, but because I want to and always intend to. I like to use the time after fasting to change my habits, adjust my diet and vary my sports units and routines. For me, this is particularly easy after fasting - the time afterwards generally feels like a new beginning.

➡️ Outlook

In April we will continue to see negative signs in the portfolio. I have now placed a limit order, which I hope will be triggered. The annual electricity bill is also due. I'm curious to see how much will be returned, the refund will certainly go into the custody account. It will also become clear whether I will increase my discount due to higher electricity costs. Until then!

Links:

Social media links can be found in my profile, you can also take a look at the Instagram version of my review.

Customs war special: winners, losers, outlook

Subscribe to the podcast to end the tariff war.

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Cr722K3NaLxspBot2mBNM?si=eORJfrQJR3eDLplP35EYxw

YouTube

https://youtu.be/QOXd_qExpKc

Apple Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/83-zollkrieg-spezial-gewinner-verlierer-ausblick/id1695869891?i=1000702108083

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$AMZN (-1,28%)
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Today I would like to give you my impressions of the conference call to present Vonovia's ($VNA (+0,06%)) annual results for 2024.

Rolf Buch, CEO, began by emphasizing that the current situation is characterized by uncertainty, particularly due to the German government's announcement of massive investments in the military and infrastructure. He outlined Vonovia's development in three phases: a growth phase after the IPO, supported by low interest rates, followed by a defensive phase after the war in Ukraine and the rise in interest rates, in which the rating and balance sheet were protected. The company is now at the beginning of a third phase, a less capital-intensive return to growth, particularly in the high-margin non-rental business.

On a positive note, Buch emphasized that the planned investment programme also offers opportunities for modernization and new construction in the areas of climate protection, energy and housing. The aim is to react prudently, learn from the experience of recent crises and maintain the strategic priorities of rating protection, debt management and long-term growth. There may be delays in individual growth projects, which are more capital-intensive, but the company is prepared to act decisively if necessary. Overall, however, the business model is robust, the market fundamentals are strong and the operating business is more solid than ever. It is encouraging that the data on property valuations shows stabilization and even slight price growth for condominiums.

Transaction volumes also picked up in the fourth quarter and a survey by Ernst & Young shows that investors continue to focus on residential real estate. Despite rent regulation, demand for residential space is enormous, which ensures solid rental growth in the long term. With the current investments of around one billion euros, rental growth is expected to be around 4%, which could even rise to 6-7% by 2028 if increased to two billion euros. The rental business will remain the core business, accounting for over 90% of EBITDA in 2024. The non-rental business is expected to grow significantly by 30% by 2028, while overall EBITDA growth of around 8% and EBT growth in the mid-single-digit range are targeted.

Philip Grosse then presented the details of the 2024 annual results. Organic rental growth of 4.1% and EBT at the upper end of the forecast were achieved for 2024. Operating free cash flow had increased significantly as cash generation was a priority. The dividend is set to increase by 36% to EUR 1.22 per share. After disposals of almost 8 billion euros in the last two years, the focus is now on the sale of the remaining non-core business of 1.6 billion euros. The Value-Add segment has increased significantly, but includes a one-off effect. The increased financing costs had a negative impact on the financial result. The value of the portfolio is 23.2 times the net cold rent or a gross yield of 4.3%, which appears reasonable compared to new-build prices for owner-occupied apartments.

The forecasts for 2025 and the medium-term targets up to 2028 were confirmed, with the expected rental growth of over 4% reflecting the planned increase in investment.

In the subsequent Q&A, the analysts asked various questions.

Valerie Jacob from Bernstein asked about the lower dividend compared to the previous formula and how the dividend policy should be assessed in the future. Philip Grosse explained that the prioritization of cash generation in recent years and the increasing investments had limited a higher payout, but that shareholders would benefit from the profitable investments in the long term. Rolf Buch added that the development of interest rates, the specific structure of government programs (in particular the funds for the environment and housing) and the development of real estate values were being closely monitored and that investment decisions would be adapted to the changed framework conditions.

Charles Boissier from UBS asked about the flexibility of the strategic plan in the face of rising capital costs and under what circumstances there would be a renewed focus on cash preservation. Rolf Buch replied that less capital-intensive growth initiatives could be prioritized and capital-intensive projects such as new construction could be scaled back if interest rates rise. With regard to the expected deterioration in the interest coverage ratio (ICR), Philip Grosse stated that there was no pressure in the short to medium term due to the staggered debt maturities and the current margin to the internal target value of 3.5x.

Jonathan Kownator from Goldman Sachs addressed the uncertainties regarding government investments and their potential impact on Vonovia as well as the discrepancy between the potential for rental growth through investments and the communicated forecast. Rolf Buch explained that initial information on subsidies for residential construction was available, but that the exact structure was still unclear. The rental growth forecast may be conservative, as investments are being made gradually and the full potential will only become apparent in the future.

Thomas Neuhold from Kepler Cheuvreux asked about the increased taxes and the long-term tax rate as well as the plans and measures to reduce construction costs in the sales business. Philip Grosse explained that the taxes reported in the operating cash flow related to the core business and that the increase was due to higher sales volumes. In the long term, a tax rate of less than 10% of EBITDA is expected. With regard to the reduction in construction costs, it is still too early to make concrete statements, but various initiatives are being worked on and political support is hoped for.

Veronique Meertens from Van Lanschot Kempen enquired about the current status of the discussions surrounding the rent freeze and about concrete steps to expand new business areas. Rolf Buch was optimistic that the rent freeze in its current form would be reconsidered and adapted. In terms of new business areas, he sees great potential in working with long-term investors, particularly in the infrastructure sector, as their investment horizon and Vonovia's cash flow profile are a good match.

Manuel Martin from ODDO BHF wanted to assess the regional strategy in the three countries (Germany, Sweden, Austria) and the portfolio's sensitivity to migration. Rolf Buch highlighted the relative strength of Sweden, but emphasized the similar stability and excess demand in all three markets. With regard to migration, he does not expect any negative effects on demand, as illegal immigrants are initially housed in camps and legal immigration is more likely to increase due to labor shortages.

Conclusion:

The Vonovia analysts' conference conveyed a picture of a company that is well positioned despite a challenging economic and political environment. The stabilization of real estate values and the confirmed growth targets give confidence. The uncertainties caused by the government's investment plans are taken seriously, but are also seen as an opportunity. The management emphasized the flexibility to react to changing conditions and to consistently pursue the strategic priorities. The significant dividend increase is a positive signal for shareholders, even if the retained liquidity is to be used for future growth and stability. Overall, Vonovia appears to be well equipped to master the current challenges and grow in the long term.