Finance
UK student housing provider Unite warns of 2026 profit drop amid demand slump
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 24, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 24, 2026
Tags:Real estate
Quick Summary
Unite Group forecasts 2026 adjusted EPS of 41.5–43.0p, down from 47.5p in 2025, blaming weaker demand and slower bookings. Occupancy pressure and Empiric acquisition effects temper near‑term income.
Feb 24 (Reuters) - British student accommodation provider Unite Group warned on Tuesday that annual income would fall in 2026 as the company grapples with weaker demand and slower bookings from international students.
Unite said international postgraduate demand has fallen over the past two years following visa policy changes and increased competition from alternative study destinations, although it expects universities to boost international undergraduate recruitment to offset the decline.
Occupancy dropped to 95.2% for the 2025/26 academic year from 97.5% previously, the firm said.
"The majority of our portfolio is delivering strong levels of occupancy and rental growth, but we have experienced challenges from weaker demand and higher supply in some cities," CEO Joe Lister said.
The group has increased its alignment to higher-tariff universities and is targeting further disposals to shore capital, he said.
Unite expects adjusted earnings per share of 41.5-43.0 pence in 2026, down from 47.5 pence in 2025, reflecting lower income from the newly acquired Empiric business and occupancy pressures heading into the new academic year.
(Reporting by Raechel Thankam Job and Simone Lobo in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)
Key Takeaways
- •Unite Group expects 2026 adjusted EPS of 41.5–43.0p, below 2025’s 47.5p.
- •Management cites weaker demand and slower bookings into the new academic year.
- •Occupancy pressures are weighing on income and margins across the portfolio.
- •Lower income contribution from the newly acquired Empiric business is expected in 2026.
- •Outlook highlights softer rental growth and a cautious stance on student demand.
Frequently Asked Questions about UK student housing provider Unite warns of 2026 profit drop amid demand slump
1What is the main topic?
Unite Group warns its 2026 adjusted earnings per share will decline due to softer demand, slower bookings and occupancy pressures following its Empiric acquisition.
2What EPS has Unite Group forecast for 2026?
The company guides adjusted EPS to 41.5–43.0 pence for 2026, down from 47.5 pence expected for 2025.
3Why is the outlook weaker for 2026?
Management points to weaker student demand, slower booking trends and lower occupancy, alongside a lower initial income contribution from the Empiric business.
4How does the Empiric acquisition affect results?
Integration and lower early-stage income from Empiric are expected to weigh on 2026 earnings before anticipated benefits materialize.
