Anglo-French property investor Hammerson said on Monday that its 2009 net loss narrowed to £344.5 mln (EUR 390.8 mln) from £1.57 bn a year ago. Property sales pushed net rental income down by 2.1% to £293.6 mln, but the figure was up 1.1% on a like-for-like basis.

Anglo-French property investor Hammerson said on Monday that its 2009 net loss narrowed to £344.5 mln (EUR 390.8 mln) from £1.57 bn a year ago. Property sales pushed net rental income down by 2.1% to £293.6 mln, but the figure was up 1.1% on a like-for-like basis.

Hammerson saw writedowns on the value of its properties narrow to £596 mln in 2009, from £1.68 bn a year earlier. The total value of the company’s portfolio fell 9% to £5.1 bn following the sale of £424 mln in properties last year.

The company also raised £584 mln in 2009 in a rights offer to reduce debt. At end-December 2009, net debt totalled £2.1 bon, while gearing was 72% compared to 118% at end-2008.

In August the company named David Atkins as chief executive officer to replace John Richards. Under his managemement, the company announced the sale of an office building in Paris earlier this year to a client of Invesco for EUR 84.5 mln. The price marks a 14% discount to the book value of EUR 97.8 mln at end-June 2009. Hammerson said at the time that the sale would be reflected in the company's 2009 financial statements.

In a press statement, John Nelson, Chairman of Hammerson, said that despite the recent recovery in property markets, the economic outlook remains uncertain. 'Against this background the Board intends to maintain a prudent approach to financing.'