** Shares in Ascencio ASCE.BR rise over 3% after the Belgian real estate investment company reported a nearly 40% rise in FY net profit
** Degroof Petercam deems the update "decent" despite pressure on occupancy during the years from the bankruptcies
** The company "managed to rapidly relet (signed or in advance discussions) the vacant spaces, highlighting the attractiveness of this retail format for retailers," the broker adds
** It expects occupancy to further improve in the next quarters as new leases start
** Ascencio also increased its dividend for 11th consecutive year to an 4.45 euros per share, which is "attractive" according to Degroof
** Shares will see their best day since mid-September, if gains hold
(Reporting by Olivier Cherfan)
((olivier.cherfan@thomsonreuters.com))