Capital Markets

FY23 saw PE activity in real estate stable on a y-o-y basis. However, there was a keen interest in platform deals, with a total value of $4.5 Bn. Most of the large ticket platform deals were in rent-generating assets (offices & warehouses) for pan India developments, while the smaller ticket items were largely for residential developments in southern cities of India. Domestic investors were significantly more active in FY23, while foreign investors have seen their incremental investments decline. Consequently, the share of domestic PE investors in Indian RE increased from 14% in FY22 to 22% in FY23.

The office sector remains a key focus for Asia Pacific investors optimistic about the long-term fundamentals.

• Within APAC, Melbourne and Tokyo stand out on the path to value stability and recovery along with Copenhagen, Toronto and San Francisco at the global level. 

• While core offices remain a top pick for investors in APAC and EMEA, substantiated by current office investment volumes, there is a very different narrative in North America.

• Office occupancy levels in APAC are averaging 80%, and office density remains high. In Europe, occupancy is back to 65% and in North America, rates are at 50%.

• Seoul and Singapore recorded net absorption 30% above historical averages with both markets recording falling vacancy rates over 2022, contrary to most major markets globally. 

• Although limited sales transactions occurred over Q1 2023, we anticipate market sentiment will recover as an expected peak of the interest rate cycle comes to fruition over H2 2023 and equips investors and vendors with clarity and confidence regarding asset values and the cost of borrowing across the region.

Key Trends

• Investment sentiment remains subdued
• High interest rates continue to weigh on investor demand
• Office (-40% q-o-q) and industrial (-52% q-o-q) investment declines sharply
• Negative carry drives some motivated sellers to increase discounts
• Cap rates set to expand further over remainder of year
• Purchasing activity to remain muted but should resume in H2 2023
• Prices to undergo further downward adjustment

This report was originally published in https://www.cbre.com/research-and-reports?PUBID=CA8D02B3-3EA7-409C-B5BA-0BD91194CD6E

This report examines the investment capital flows to and from the Asia Pacific region in 2022, and highlights the key markets and sectors that saw notable inflows and outflows.

Key highlights include:

• India was the only market in Asia Pacific to attract more international capital in 2022 compared to the previous year.
• While Singapore remains the biggest source of capital in Asia Pacific, investment halved from 2021.
• Western investment in mainland China fell to just US$500 million in 2022.
• Interest and exchange rate volatility has eroded Asia Pacific investors’ appetite for U.S. real estate.
• U.S. investment in Asia Pacific slowed significantly due to sharp interest rate hikes in H2 2022.

This report was originally published in https://www.cbre.com/insights/reports/2022-asia-pacific-real-estate-capital-flows