Market Outlook

The GPR/APREA AsiaPac Performance Snapshot tracks the dynamics of listed real estate securities (including REITs) across 12 AsiaPac countries/regions and eight sectors, over multiple time horizons.

• August results revealed a clean sweep for Asia Pac REITs, which outscored rival asset classes over all time horizons.

The GPR/APREA AsiaPac Performance Snapshot tracks the dynamics of listed real estate securities (including REITs) across 12 AsiaPac countries/regions and eight sectors, over multiple time horizons.

• All asset classes posted positive total returns in July – REITs were the strongest performers.
• Listed real estate, equities and bonds posted positive returns of 0.8%, 0.9% and 0.1% respectively verse REITs at 1.6%.

This quarterly briefing offers you a roundup of the private equity and venture capital deals along with capital activities across major sectors in the quarter and trends that are shaping investment decisions today.

It distills the perspectives of our teams of subject-matter professionals in the region into pertinent insights to keep you ahead in navigating the private equity landscape.

Hong Kong’s retail sector had an impressive start into 2018 with retail sales growing 13.9% YOY so far this year, and reaching record levels comparable to the last market peak. Millennials and Generation Z have been driving the retail market towards more lifestyle consumption and experiential shopping. Premium, leading fashion, and health and beauty are creating robust expansion needs for prime space.

Nonetheless, the retail rental should only see a moderate recovery in 2018 with the overall highstreet rents growing by 1-3% YOY in 2018 and 3-5% YOY in 2019.

The GPR/APREA AsiaPac Performance Snapshot tracks the dynamics of listed real estate securities (including REITs) across 12 AsiaPac countries/regions and eight sectors, over multiple time horizons. 

The GPR/APREA AsiaPac Performance Snapshot tracks the dynamics of listed real estate securities (including REITs) across 12 AsiaPac countries/regions and eight sectors, over multiple time horizons. 

• REITs were the top total return performer in June 2018.
• Equities and REITs were the strongest performers over the past five years.
• On a ten-year basis, REITs outpaced rival asset classes, followed by listed real estate.

Business sentiment firmed amidst Singapore’s solid economic growth of 4.4% y-o-y in 1Q2018. The finance & insurance sector expanded by 9.1% y-o-y, while the information & communications sector grew by 5.7% y-o-y. Office-using employment increased by 7,100 workers in 1Q2018. Private economists now expect 2018 GDP growth to exceed 3%.

PRC co-working operators continue to move into the Hong Kong office market.

Office

Leasing activity in the overal market picked up in May, with net absorption int the overall market amounting to 153,400 sq ft. Demand was mainly focused on new and upcoming Grade A offices, accounting for about 48% of all new lettings, in terms of floor area. At One Hennessy, a new Grade A office being built in Wanchai, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank reportedly leased eight floors (85,400 sq ft) for their first centre in Hong Kong, KR Space is also reportedly negotiating additional locations around the city.

Office take-up in Southeast Asia accelerated over the last five quarters. In 1Q18 office take-up in the region grew by 6.8% year-on-year (yoy). Office demand is well correlated to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in Southeast Asia and is expected to grow by 6% annually in 2018-2021.

Office demand was the strongest in…

Office take-up in Southeast Asia accelerated over the last five quarters. In 1Q18 office take-up in the region grew by 6.8% year-on-year (yoy). Office demand is well correlated to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in Southeast Asia and is expected to grow by 6% annually in 2018-2021.

Office demand was the strongest in Singapore and Jakarta, where occupiers moved into new supply. Technology, e-commerce and flexible space operators were key demand drivers.

Flexible work space operators expanded by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 30% in the last three years in Asia Pacific and now take up 2.8% of the occupier office space in Singapore.

North Sydney now has two Premium grade office developments under construction. The first, 100 Mount Street (41,000 sqm), is due in early 2019, while 1 Denison Street (60,000 sqm) is due in late 2020. Both will benefit from the opening of the Victoria Cross metro station in 2024, above which Transport for NSW is currently seeking concept approval for a 168m, 60,000 sqm office building.

Real Estate Spotlight will go through:

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON RETAIL INVESTMENT

Considering the difficulties facing the broader retail industry, we examine the industry in the context of private equity real estate transactions and show that, contrary to wider market trends, PERE retail activity continues to occur. Access the article to find out more on page 2

SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUNDS INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE…

Real Estate Spotlight will go through:

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON RETAIL INVESTMENT

Considering the difficulties facing the broader retail industry, we examine the industry in the context of private equity real estate transactions and show that, contrary to wider market trends, PERE retail activity continues to occur. Access the article to find out more on page 2

SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUNDS INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE

The proportion of sovereign wealth funds investing in real estate currently stands at 62%, representing the second highest level of participation in alternative assets among this investor group, behind only infrastructure (64%). In this feature we take a look at how sovereign wealth funds invest in the asset class. Access the article to find out more on page 6.