Custodian Property Income REIT — Immediately accretive strategic growth

Custodian Property Income REIT (LSE: CREI)

Last close As at 19/02/2026

GBP0.90

−0.90 (−1.00%)

Market capitalisation

GBP433m

More on this equity

Research: Real Estate

Custodian Property Income REIT — Immediately accretive strategic growth

Custodian Property Income REIT (CREI) has completed the £36m corporate acquisition of a highly complementary, diversified family-owned portfolio (Grove Court Properties), which is its second such transaction in the past nine months. The acquisition has been financed by the issuance to the vendor of new CREI shares (75%) on an adjusted NAV for NAV basis and cash (25%). It delivers immediate earnings enhancement, improved dividend cover and offers the potential for value creation through asset and portfolio management opportunities. CREI has also published its Q326 update, with a NAV total return of 2.3%, taking the year-to-date total to 8.4%.

Martyn King

Written by

Martyn King

Director, Financials. Property and Insurance

Real estate

Corporate acquisition

20 February 2026

Price 89.50p
Market cap £415m

Net cash/(debt) at 31 December 2025

£(163.8)m

Shares in issue

459.3m
Code CREI
Primary exchange LSE
Secondary exchange N/A
Price Performance
% 1m 3m 12m
Abs 5.6 16.5 28.9
52-week high/low 90.6p 59.8p

Business description

Custodian Property Income REIT is a London Main Market-listed REIT focused on commercial property in the UK outside London. It is income-focused, with a commitment to pay a high but sustainable and covered dividend.

Next events

Q4 trading update

Estimated May 2026

Analyst

Martyn King
+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Custodian Property Income REIT is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Note: EPRA earnings excludes revaluation gains/losses and other exceptional items. NAV is defined as EPRA net tangible assets (EPRA NTA) throughout this report.

Year end Net rental income (£m) EPRA earnings (£m) EPRA EPS (p) NAV/share (£) DPS (p) P/NAV (x) Yield (%)
3/24 39.1 25.7 5.8 0.93 5.80 0.96 6.5
3/25 39.5 26.8 6.1 0.96 6.00 0.93 6.7
3/26e 40.7 27.9 6.2 0.98 6.00 0.91 6.7
3/27e 41.6 28.6 6.3 1.00 6.12 0.90 6.8

Earnings accretive and builds scale

The acquisition of Grove Court Properties follows the similar £19m acquisition of Merlin Properties in May 2025. In addition to the financial benefits to CREI shareholders, the transaction allows the vendor to resolve succession issues and manage a potentially significant capital gains tax liability. CREI believes that similar transactions are possible with other high-net-worth and family offices. The Grove Court portfolio comprises seven assets, located in close proximity to the M25 motorway on the eastern outskirts of Greater London. The average lot-size is £5.3m (CREI: £3.9m). It adds c 6% to CREI’s annualised rental income and has been acquired for a 6.8% net initial yield. Like the Merlin acquisition, although the portfolio has a high level of occupancy (97%), CREI has identified a number of opportunities to drive increased rental income and value from lease events.

Q326: Asset management and rental growth

Q326 EPRA EPS of 1.7p, fully covering DPS of 1.5p. EPS included 0.2p from a non-recurring lease surrender premium on an industrial asset, which CREI expects to re-let at a higher rent after refurbishment, funded by a dilapidations receipt. Estimated rental value (ERV) continues to increase, with above 0.5% like-for-like in Q3 and 2.5% in FY26 to date and, at £52m per year, 14% ahead of current passing rent. Leasing events are the trigger for unlocking reversion and during Q3, new lettings, lease renewals and rent reviews were all at or above ERV and/or passing rent. NAV per share increased 0.9% to 99.8p, the sixth consecutive quarterly increase, and, adding back DPS paid (but not reinvested), the NAV total return was 2.3%.

Attractive yield and accelerating capital growth

We will review our forecasts but note that the Q3 NAV per share is already above our end-FY26 forecast. FY26e DPS represents an attractive yield of 6.7% and, despite an improving outlook for capital growth, the shares continue to trade at an 11% discount to Q326 NAV.

Interview with the fund manager

Below is a short interview with Richard Shepherd-Cross in which he talks about the Grove Court acquisition in detail, as well the outlook for further, similar transactions.

Executive interview: Richard Shepherd-Cross

Source: Edison Investment Research

Further details on the Q326 financial performance

During Q326, NAV per share increased 0.9p or 0.9%, comprising retained earnings of 0.2p, revaluation movements of 0.6p and a positive impact of share repurchases at a discount to NAV of 0.1p.

Funded by asset sales, on average well ahead of book value, during the quarter c 3.5m shares were repurchased. In aggregate, since the buyback programme commenced during Q2, 5.7m shares have been acquired at an average 79.1p for £4.5m. The prevailing discount to NAV at which the shares were acquired was c 18%, much wider than the current 11% discount at which the shares are trading. The initial buyback programme is for up to £5.0m and may be increased so long as the board considers them an attractive use of property disposal proceeds that will create value for shareholders.

NAV total return has been positive in each of the last eight quarters, including growth in NAV over the past six quarters.

Property revaluation movements (not including depreciation of fixed assets) added £3m to NAV, representing like-for-like growth of 0.5%. The EPRA topped up net initial yield was unchanged at 6.7%.

Positive leasing activity during the quarter comprised:

  • eight new leases, with £0.7m of new annual rental income added to the rent roll, in aggregate, 10% ahead of ERV;
  • nine lease renewals/regears at a combined average of 6% ahead of passing rent and in line with ERV; and
  • two rent reviews at an aggregate average of 7% ahead of previous passing rent.

10 annual Retail Prices Index-linked rent reviews across 10 electric vehicle charger leases contributed to the £0.1m of revenue generated in the period (Q2: £0.2m) from solar panel arrays across 12 assets. The renewable electricity that these generate is sold to tenants with any excess exported to the grid.

The Grove Court acquisition

The Grove Court properties are spread across a number of sectors, complementary to the existing CREI portfolio and fit the company’s income-focused strategy well. Around half the portfolio comprises a diverse range of ‘other’ sub-sectors, in addition to office and high street retail. The average lot size is £5.3m (CREI: £3.9m) and the portfolio (97% let) generates £2.7m of annual rental income, equivalent to c 6% of CREI annualised contracted rent. The portfolio net initial yield of 6.8%.

The ‘other’ sector represents 14% of CREI’s current income, comprising gyms, drive-through restaurants, motor trade, pubs and restaurants, leisure, trade counters, day nurseries and hotels.

The Grove Court tenant base is also diversified, with the top five tenants representing 57% of total rents. The largest, Vertu Motors, with a car showroom in Beaconsfield, accounts 26% of the total. Vertu Motors’ annual rent is £0.7m or c 1.4% of the enlarged CREI portfolio. CREI’s largest tenant is Menzies Distribution, one of the UK’s leading urban logistics businesses, and accounted for a little under 4% of passing rent prior to the Grove Court acquisition, spread over eight individual assets.

Similar to the Merlin acquisition (although the portfolio has been acquired with a high level of occupancy), CREI has identified a number of opportunities to drive further value from the Grove Court portfolio by using its asset and portfolio management expertise to increase rental income from lease events.

Transaction consideration

The initial consideration for Grove Court Properties comprises the issue to the vendors of 24.1m new shares, calculated on an adjusted NAV for NAV basis, and £9.0m of cash.

On finalisation of the Grove Court Properties accounts (expected during the next six months), CREI expects to issue a further 0.8m shares. A cash overage payment of £0.3m, based on the outcome of a pending rent review and a pending lease renewal, is expected during the next three to six months.

The transaction is tax efficient for the sellers and, as a corporate acquisition, CREI avoids stamp duty land tax. The loan-to-value ratio is maintained at around 25% (Q326: 26.2%).

Forecasts are under review

We will review the forecasts shown below for the quarterly data and the immediately earnings accretive Grove Court Properties acquisition.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Custodian Property Income REIT and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Custodian Property Income REIT. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright 2026 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or sol icitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

More on Custodian Property Income REIT

View All

Latest from the Real Estate sector

View All Real Estate content

Research: Real Estate

Regional REIT — Leasing market uncertainty

Regional REIT (RGL) has released a 2025 year-end trading update and will publish its full results on 24 March. Alongside the strategic progress that the company has recently reported (profitable disposals, portfolio investment, debt refinancing and amended management fee arrangements), earnings and DPS are in line with expectations. However, the leasing market has remained subdued and the full impact of 2025 lease breaks will be felt in 2026. FY26 earnings will be lower than in FY25 and RGL is targeting a reduced, but fully covered, FY26 DPS of 8.0p. Much of this appears to be anticipated in the share price, which reflects a prospective yield of 7.5% and c 50% discount to NAV.

Continue Reading