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  • The top five technology centres in APAC are Beijing, Shanghai, Bengaluru, Shenzhen and Singapore. Other cities are developing strengths in specific areas of technology, e.g., Seoul and Hong Kong in fintech, while in Hyderabad and Sydney are emerging
  • Among upcoming Indian submarkets, Colliers highlights Whitefield and North Bengaluru in Bengaluru, Peripheral Business District in Hyderabad, and Noida Expressway and Golf Course Extension Road (Gurguram) in Delhi NCR, among others.
  • In APAC, technology occupiers should account for 20%-25% of office leasing demand in the next five years. Our research identifies the most attractive technology submarkets across APAC to help occupiers plan their expansion
  • The emergence of technology groups as large owner-occupiers creates a new source of capital for investors planning asset disposals, as well as new opportunities for joint ventures and partnerships for developers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and work. Long-running conversations surrounding the traditional office model have only proliferated in recent times. In response, we are now seeing new trends in strategies for corporate real estate arise from businesses around the world. When asked about expectations of change in their total amount of space in global portfolios, APAC respondents from the (Y)OUR SPACE 2021 global survey* have been more bullish than their global counterparts. 30% more APAC respondents said that they are likely to increase rather than decrease space. Comparatively, there are 5% more global respondents who are likely to decrease their portfolios than increase.

概览

       亚太股市5月份再度遇冷,由于物价上涨可能加剧通胀,投资者仍然担心持续上升的通胀压力。同时,亚太许多国家,包括印度、日本,和部分东南亚国家,也面临着新一轮的疫情威胁。感染人数在之前防疫工作颇为成功的新加坡、台湾和越南激增,这也让投资者感到不安。亚太地区疫苗普及速度落后于全球,对疫情的担忧将导致延迟放松边境管制,从而推迟经济复苏。在各种因素的影响下,亚太地产股表现逊于亚太股票和债券指数。

亚太上市房地产公司股票

        GPR/APREA上市房地产综合指数勉强维持在正值,澳大利亚、香港、日本略有盈利,勉强抵消中国和新加坡权重股的跌幅。继一场在北京召开的会议后,中国地产股开始下跌。会议考虑通过征收房产税,以遏制房地产投机行为,因此打击了市场信心。

        然而,由于投资者买入升值强劲的人民币,加上美联储承诺的货币宽松政策,香港股票连续两个月收高。尽管印度新冠感染病例位居全球首位,但地产公司Indiabulls和大使馆集团的合并直接推动了印度股票本月斩获最高回报率。监管部门批准了这项并购,这也造就了又一家印度最大的上市房地产公司之一。

亚太REITs

      5月,GPR/APREA综合REIT指数创纪录地继续保持增长。然而,亚太大部分REIT市场表现都不如股票。唯独香港例外,回报率最高达3%以上。从各个版块来看,主要地产板块收益表现也较为平淡。新加坡REITs也位于地区内拖后腿的行列,因为政府加强了管制,以限制疫情感染人数的增加。尽管如此,新加坡工业REITs管理资产继续扩大规模,今年已公布超50亿新元的重大收购。

       亚太REIT市场也迎来了另一个重大发展机遇。众人期待已久的中国公募REIT市场已拉开帷幕,此前监管部门已批准了第一批REITs,包含九只股票,预计将为基础设施项目筹集300亿人民币。然而,与其他市场不同,中国REITs目前只以基础设施为支撑。符合条件的底层资产不包括商业地产,商场或办公楼等。同时,顺丰REIT成功在香港交易所上市,成为香港第一支以物流为主的REIT。

        亚太地区的REITs并购活动也更加活跃。除了目前日本境内对景顺日本办公REIT的争夺外,澳洲证交所上市的澳大利亚联合医疗地产信托也成为了加拿大西北医疗地产信托和新加坡政府投资公司新加坡主权财富基金的竞相收购目标。

前景展望

        资源价格和航运成本的上涨可能使政策性加息比预期来得更早,而通胀问题仍将是投资者的主要关注点。不过,在美联储评论说基于基数效应的价格飙升是暂时性的后,美国国债收益率在5月份有所回落。投资者认为在收益率达到顶峰,债券买入量减少之前,美联储还能容忍更高的价格。在经济持续复苏的背景下,亚太REITs将继续受益于持续的低息环境,以及机构投资者对房地产的强劲需求。

The Asia Pacific (APAC) region is experiencing a boom in infrastructure investing. The Infrastructure sector in countries that include India, Indonesia, China, Australia, Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore is expected to grow 7% to 8% per year over the next decade.

For more information visit: 

https://www.ssctech.com/resources-insights/brochures/view/apac-infrastructure-boom-drives-demand-for-technology-enabled-service-providers

Overview

Asia Pacific stock markets endured another tepid month in May as investors remained focused on rising inflationary pressures, as a surge in commodity prices threatens to drive up inflation. The region also contended with a fresh wave of Covid-19 infections across several countries including India, Japan and parts of Southeast Asia. A spike in caseloads in Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam, which had the most success in curbing infection levels, also unnerved investors. Vaccine rollouts, at rates lagging those worldwide are compounding concerns that protracted border controls will delay an economic recovery. Property stocks across the region reacted by underperforming both the region’s equity and bond indices.

Listed Real Estate

The GPR/APREA Listed Real Estate Composite barely remained in positive territory, with marginal gains in Australia, Hong Kong and Japan just managing to offset declines in the other regional heavyweights of China and Singapore. China real estate stocks slipped, after a meeting held in Beijing contemplated a property tax to rein in rampant speculation in the housing market dragged on sentiment.

However, Hong Kong shares closed higher for a second month in a row as investors bought into the strong Chinese currency and the US Federal Reserve’s commitment towards monetary accommodation. Despite grappling with the world’s highest infection caseload, India stocks scored the highest returns as the merger of Indiabulls Real Estate and Embassy Group gained momentum. Regulatory pathways cleared for the merger will create one of India’s largest listed real estate companies.

REITs

The GPR/APREA Composite REIT Index held on to record another positive month in May. However, most REIT markets in the Asia Pacific underperformed equities. Hong Kong was the exception, clocking the highest returns at just over 3%. Sector-wise, gains were also tepid across the main property segments. S-REITs were among the underperformers in the region, as the country heightened restrictions over the increase in infections. Nonetheless, industrial S-REITs continue to increase their assets under management, with significant acquisitions valued at over S$5 billion announced this year.

A significant development also greeted REIT markets in the region. China’s long-awaited public REITs market kicked off, after regulators approved the first batch of its REITs, comprising nine stocks that will raise an estimated RMB30 billion for infrastructure projects. However,  unlike other markets, Chinese REITs are only backed by infrastructure. For now, eligible underlying assets do not include commercial properties such as shopping malls or offices. Meanwhile, Hong Kong saw its first logistics-focused REIT list, after SF REIT successfully debuted on the territory’s stock exchange.

The region is also experiencing heightened M&A activity in the REIT space. In addition to the current tussle for Invesco Office J-REIT in Japan, ASX-listed Australian Unity Healthcare Property Trust has also been the target of a takeover bid by Canada’s NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT and Singapore sovereign wealth fund, GIC.

Outlook

As rising resource prices and escalating shipping costs heighten the possibility of an earlier-than-expected policy rate hike, inflation will continue to be a dominant theme for investors. However, treasury yields have retreated in May, after the Fed commented that such price spikes, that stem from base effects, will be transitory. Investors are buying into the view that the Fed will tolerate higher prices before hiking rates and tapering bond purchases. Amid the ongoing economic recovery, Asia Pacific REITs will continue to benefit from the sustained low interest rate environment and strong demand for real estate investments among institutional buyers.

概览

再通胀交易在第一季度实现快速增长后,而今却由于美国失业救济申请人数意外激增,从而陷入停滞。新一波的疫情浪潮,尤其是在亚洲,也促使投资者转向避险资产,导致4月份10年期国债收益率短暂跌至一个多月来的最低点。美联储在本月底的定期会议上决定维持利率不变。尽管经济正在复苏,美联储仍然重申在未来短期内,将继续推行高度宽松的货币政策。亚太股票市场反应乐观,继上月下跌后,摩根士丹利亚太股价指数已重回正值。

亚太上市房地产公司股票

尽管GPR/APREA上市房地产综合指数仍处于正值,但由于中国和日本权重股的下跌,综合指数涨幅并不显著。其中,中国股市跌幅最大,由于数据显示房产价格仍在持续上涨,因此,投资者担忧监管将施加更大的压力。中国许多城市3月新房房价增速都达到了过去7个月来的最高点。距离奥运会只剩三个月,日本宣布进入第三轮紧急状态,以抑制疫情发展,而这也打击了日本国内的市场信心。

亚太REITs

大部分亚太市场表现良好,GPR/APREA综合房地产投资信托指数延续了2月以来的涨势,本月月底收高。亚太REITs连续第二个月跑赢股票。

其中,日本REITs引领涨幅,保持2020年11月以来的连胜势头,因为机构对日本房地产资产的兴趣增加,从而推动了REITs的表现。喜达屋资本拟计划收购日本景顺资产管理公司的REIT,初始报价即溢价超10%。预期未来报价将上涨,投资者竞相抬价抢购。此外,日本央行承诺每年继续拨出高达1800亿日元的资金购买日本REITs。低利率和对经济复苏的预期也给澳大利亚市场带来了信心,收益上涨。

同时,巴基斯坦证券与交易委员会,即该国的市场监管机构,正在逐步放松对REIT的监管,取消对提供竣工证明文件的强制性要求,该要求被许多投资者认为阻碍了REIT的发展。继2015年上市首支REIT后,这个南亚国家还未推出任何新的REITs。

亚太REITs行业正处于持续扩张中。中国最大的快递供应商,顺丰控股有限公司,计划将三个总价值61亿港币的物流中心纳入到一个在香港上市的离岸REIT中。顺丰已在4月向香港交易所提供了顺丰REIT的上市申请。地产开发商和管理公司丰树投资也计划在新加坡上市学生住房类REIT,预计能筹资约10亿新元。

前景展望

距离疫情爆发已一年有余,亚太REITs已逆转颓势,超过了去年1月份疫情爆发前的最高点。然而,在收益方面仍然不如亚太股票。

至于未来,疫情再度爆发的压力与通胀都为市场前景蒙上了阴影。尽管如此,后疫情时代的经济复苏仍将逐步提速,这将对亚太REITs带来积极影响。在当前的低利率环境下,机构投资者对房产资产的兴趣不减,而在他们的带动下,商业房地产市场也更加活跃,预计这也将有利于REITs的估值。

The global economic disruption and uncertainty in capital markets caused by the COVID pandemic has done little to negatively impact the Real Assets sector; in fact, it has emerged as a haven for institutional investors seeking opportunities amid the turmoil.

A recent Investment Intentions 2021 survey from PREA, INREV and ANREV, which included 84 institutional investors and 15 Fund-of-Fund managers, highlighted that COVID has not decreased but increased investors’ appetite for real estate. Almost half (46%) of the institutional investors surveyed expect their real allocations to increase over the next two years – with Sydney, Melbourne and Tokyo as preferred investment locations – while only 7% expect it to decrease.

In addition, Preqin expects global AUM growth in alternative assets to average 9.8% per year from $10.7tn in 2020 to $17tn in 2025, despite a turbulent 2020 and start to 2021.

It is clear that the current, persistently low interest rate environment in the Asia-Pacific region in particular is attracting investors to alternative assets with the promise of outperformance, diversification and lower correlation with public markets. It is also clear that managers will need to scale their administration function to cope with this influx of assets. However, what considerations do Asia-Pacific managers need to take on board – such as the potential reputational impact of sourcing jobs overseas in a high unemployment environment – when scaling up their administration?

Market adjustment slows

Although the market continues to correct, we note signs that the rate of adjustment is slowing.

• For the central fi ve wards (C5W), COVID-19 is still taking a toll on the market and casting a shadow over the market’s future, although the impact appears to be showing signs of alleviation. • Average Grade A offi ce market rents in the C5W fell 1.9% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) and 5.3% year-on-year (YoY), and now stand at JPY35,762 per tsubo1 per month.

• The average Grade A offi ce vacancy rate in the C5W increased slightly by 0.2 percentage points (ppts) QoQ to 1.2% in Q1/2021.

• Average large-scale Grade B offi ce rents declined to JPY27,275 per tsubo per month – a contraction of 2.1% QoQ and 4.5% YoY.

• The average vacancy rate in the Grade B market lies at 2.2% following a loosening of 0.6ppts QoQ and 2.0ppts YoY.

• With limited supply expected this year and the next, the market should have time to adjust and recover, although secondary vacancy derived from the large supply in 2020 is a concern.

• While prime real estate is expected to hold steady, rents in poorly located and older offi ces are likely to fall, resulting in an overall market deterioration.

Rental declines moderate

Occupier demand started to rise in Q1/2021, but the reintroduction of crowd density controls now suggests a more protracted recovery.

• Food & beverage (F&B) revenue largely declined in Q1/2021 as operators continued to be aff ected by the COVID-19 pandemic control measures such as dine in capacity constraints and restrictions on large-scale events. However, retail sales (excluding motor vehicles) improved in the quarter, largely due to a lower base in the same period last year.

• With the positive net demand of 301,000 sq ft outweighing the net supply of 108,000 sq ft, the overall vacancy rate declined for a second consecutive quarter by 0.3 of a percentage point (ppt) to 8.5% in Q1/2021, the lowest since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic here in Q2/2020.

• Despite the lack of tourists, the Orchard Area remains resilient with the vacancy rate remaining unchanged at 11.6%. On the other hand, the vacancy level in Suburban Areas declined for a third consecutive quarter by 0.8 of a ppt to 5.2%, its lowest level since Q1/2016. • Savills monthly prime rents in Orchard Area fell, albeit at a slower pace, by 3.0% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) to S$22.80 psf, compared to the 7.8% decline registered in Q4/2020.

• The more vibrant suburban malls saw a smaller contraction in Savills monthly prime rents in Suburban Areas of 2.0% QoQ to S$24.00 psf.

• Despite the limited supply pipeline over the next few years, the uptick of COVID-19 community cases led the government to backtrack from Phase 3 of the pandemic control measures to reintroduce Phase 2 (Heightened Alert). While the government has provided some form of support to retailers, it is expected that business conditions will remain challenging and rents of malls in both Orchard and Suburban Areas are forecast to decline by 15% and 10% respectively in 2021.