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UK real estate: half-year health check

  • Following a difficult 12 months for UK real estate in which values declined 25%, deal evidence from March 2023 indicated a nascent pricing recovery
  • Inflationary and interest rate headwinds persist, especially pertinent for debt refinancing, but occupier markets have been more resilient than expected
  • On balance, we see growth opportunities in industrials, retail warehouses, some residential subsectors, and (very selectively) urban offices.
It’s been a volatile 12 months in UK real estate. The speed and extent of the capital market repricing, -25% from June 2022’s peak through to February 2023’s trough, was more severe than we saw during from 2007-09 during the global financial crisis1.

Figure 1: capital market context – monthly valuations indicate nascent pricing recovery

Figure one capital market context monthly valuations indicate nascent pricing recovery
Source: MSCI, May 2023
But the UK, consistently ranked the most transparent real estate market globally2, repriced much quicker than either the US or Continental Europe. As such, valuations from March 2023 onwards, reflecting prevailing transactional evidence at the time, indicated the market entering a nascent recovery phase (Figure 1), with select sectors (industrials and retail warehousing) showing tentative capital growth.
More recently however, inflation has proved stickier than anticipated. Despite a fall in the rate of Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation to 8.7% in April, down from 10.1% in March3, it was unchanged in May, with core CPI inflation increasing month-on-month against expectation. While the Bank of England (BoE) response goes some way to restoring confidence in a downward inflationary trajectory, increased base rates continue to present downside risks to debt costs and to the resilience of the occupational market (the administration of Cineworld Group being the latest example4). With the BoE sending clear signals that further rate rises may be on the cards, there is a valid perception that a recession in the UK has perhaps been postponed rather than averted.

Capital market distress?

While we have reached the end of the “free money” era, we are not yet seeing signs of capital market distress. With the UK economy still adjusting to the effects of Brexit, Covid-19 and the Ukraine conflict, and policy response continuing to prioritise tackling inflation, this may seem surprising.

Within the institutional marketplace, a knock-on impact of higher rates was to reduce the present value of UK defined benefit pension scheme liabilities, accelerating the de-risking process and removing capital from growth markets, including property. Open-ended unleveraged funds managed their flows through a combination of selling at prevailing prices, and/or deferring redemptions. But there was no evidence of forced selling at steep discounts, which was the accusation levelled at “retail funds” following the Brexit vote in 2016, nor a return of Material Uncertainty Clauses, which were introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Leverage is a more likely candidate for distress, as while average real estate leverage is vastly lower than historic levels – according to CBRE the average loan-to-value at market level as at the end of June 2022 was 48%, comparatively low against 72% at the end of 2007 – impending loan maturities will doubtless bring pain. With the base rate rising from 0.25% at the end of 2021 to 5.0% in June 20235, and with markets pricing further rises in, many refinances will not be viable. Both borrowers and lenders will have to decide on the relative merits of either extending loan terms and topping up equity, or selling at book losses. Anecdotal evidence suggests at least some lenders are already heading for the exit door, and more are likely to follow.  

Where will performance come from?

Headline annualised rental growth of 3.7% to end-May indicates a trailing occupational resilience at market leve6. The inflation picture and ongoing interest rate rises undoubtedly place additional strain on corporate occupiers, but the lead indicators for real estate are vacancy rates and insolvencies – both of which remain low by historic standards. Remember that rental cash flows are asset backed so in the extreme scenario of elevated insolvencies, real assets fare better than fixed income.

We retain a high conviction towards industrials, where rental growth is moderating from a high of 13% annualised seen in August 2022, back towards its pre-Covid-19 average of around 3.3% annually7. Retail warehouses, which feel occupationally resilient, have benefitted from the recent rates revaluation, and with national vacancy levels at around 5% could be at a tipping point of more sustained rental growth – which is currently 1.6% annualised to May8.

Residential subsectors, in particular student accommodation, continue to provide opportunities to increase rents, however this sector did not experience any meaningful price correction and so values based on forward-looking net operating incomes need careful interrogation on a case-by-case basis. Also under the umbrella of residential, there is a place for single-family housing, albeit at scale, offering granular and relatively sticky income with strong growth potential. Finally, we think other alternative sectors, including life science, still have a valid place within forward-looking portfolios.

Where are the risks?

Offices continue to go through a transformational structural change towards flexible/hybrid working patterns, which has reduced overall demand levels. However, occupational densities post-Covid have also trended down, which has acted as a mitigator against more severe downsizing. On the supply side, in spite of new development, net office supply has actually reduced by 6% from its 2014 peak, as secondary stock has been demolished or converted to alternative uses faster than new stock is being built9. While “best-in-class” offices will continue to thrive in an increasingly discerning occupational marketplace, market vacancy levels of around 20% are unsustainable in the medium term. There will be a growing divide between the best and the rest and further price falls will reflect these risks. Leisure also looks challenged, as Covid-19 piggy banks are whittled away and discretionary consumer spending decreases (here again, Cineworld is a case in point).  

What about decarbonisation?

Decarbonisation continues to represent one of the biggest structural drivers of returns, as investors, occupiers and valuers come to terms with legislative requirements and the risks and opportunities they present – something we covered in depth earlier in the year10.

In June 2019 the UK became the first major economy to pass emissions laws requiring all greenhouse gas emissions to be net zero by 2050. As it stands, only 22% of commercial property energy performance certificates logged in the past three years are rated B or better, which is the requirement under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) by 203011.

The cost of implementing environmental improvements creates both opportunities and risks for those in real estate. We believe a pro-active approach to environmental and social risk management provides the best opportunity to deliver sustainable outcomes aligned with financial performance. This is via direct asset interventions – asset refurbishment and the introduction of renewable energy sources – and via engagement with occupiers who increasingly recognise the value of shared initiatives.

Conclusion

UK real estate continues to offer a favourable investment environment: a generally benign political landscape, a clear operating environment, an established legal framework and a favourable ownership and leasing structure. It has a diverse investor base, with overseas investors increasing their market share to around 60% in London12. And it’s a market that offers consistently attractive returns: grossing an average 8.2% per annum since 1987 (unleveraged) with approximately 80% of total return derived from rental income13.

Real estate has been particularly affected by societal changes accelerated during Covid-19, and the dust continues to settle. There will be winners and losers over the coming years as this plays out. But this recalibration is creating a value premium for assets that retain functional relevance to occupational business operations: we favour industrials, retail warehouses, residential, and (very selectively) urban offices, and we believe dynamic, thematic allocation and experience in stock selection will prove key to delivering positive returns in this environment.

30 juni 2023
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UK real estate: half-year health check

1Columbia Threadneedle analysis of the MSCI UK Property Monthly Index, May 2023
2JLL Global Real Estate Transparency Index, 2022
3The Guardian, Bank forecast to raise rates above 5% as UK inflation falls by less than expected, 24 May 2023
4Reuters, Cineworld to file for administration in UK as part of restructuring, 26 June 2023
5Bank of England data, June 2023
6MSCI UK Property Monthly Index, May 2023
7MSCI UK Property Monthly Index, May 2023
8MSCI UK Property Monthly Index, May 2023
9Savills and Columbia Threadneedle Investments, December 2022
10Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Delivering sustainable returns in real estate investing, 20 March 2023
11Energy Performance Certificates for Buildings Register for England and Wales, as at 31 December 2022
12Who Owns the City, Colin Lizieri, Jan Reinert and Andrew Baum & JLL, 2022
13MSCI UK Property Monthly Index, May 2023

Important information

For use by professional clients and/or equivalent investor types in your jurisdiction (not to be used with or passed on to retail clients). This is an advertising document. This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered representative of any particular investment. This should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments, or to provide investment advice or services.

Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. Your capital is at risk. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. The value of investments is not guaranteed, and therefore an investor may not get back the amount invested. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency fluctuations and different financial and accounting standards. Risks are enhanced for emerging market issuers.

The securities included herein are for illustrative purposes only, subject to change and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell. Securities discussed may or may not prove profitable. The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change and may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) associates or affiliates. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Columbia Threadneedle and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, may not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not take into consideration individual investor circumstances. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor’s specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Asset classes described may not be appropriate for all investors. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and no forecast should be considered a guarantee either.

Information and opinions provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. This is an advertising document. This document and its contents have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority.

In Australia: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited [“TIS”], ARBN 600 027 414. TIS is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and relies on Class Order 03/1102 in respect of the financial services it provides to wholesale clients in Australia. This document should only be distributed in Australia to “wholesale clients” as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act. TIS is regulated in Singapore (Registration number: 201101559W) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289), which differ from Australian laws.

In Singapore: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited, 3 Killiney Road, #07-07, Winsland House 1, Singapore 239519, which is regulated in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289). Registration number: 201101559W. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

In Hong Kong: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services Hong Kong Limited 天利投資管理香港有限公司. Unit 3004, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Hong Kong, which is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) to conduct Type 1 regulated activities (CE:AQA779). Registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622), No. 1173058.

In Japan: Issued by Columbia Threadneedle Investments Japan Co., Ltd. Financial Instruments Business Operator, The Director-General of Kanto Local Finance Bureau (FIBO) No.3281, and a member of Japan Investment Advisers Association and Type II Financial Instruments Firms Association.

In the USA: Investment products offered through Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA. Advisory services provided by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.

In the UK: Issued by Threadneedle Asset Management Limited. Registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 573204, Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG, United Kingdom. Authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

In the EEA: Issued by Threadneedle Management Luxembourg S.A. Registered with the Registre de Commerce et des Societes (Luxembourg), Registered No. B 110242, 44, rue de la Vallée, L-2661 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

In Switzerland: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services AG, Registered address: Claridenstrasse 41, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland.

In the Middle East: This document is distributed by Columbia Threadneedle Investments (ME) Limited, which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). For Distributors: This document is intended to provide distributors’ with information about Group products and services and is not for further distribution. For Institutional Clients: The information in this document is not intended as financial advice and is only intended for persons with appropriate investment knowledge and who meet the regulatory criteria to be classified as a Professional Client or Market Counterparties and no other Person should act upon it.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

 

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Important information

For use by professional clients and/or equivalent investor types in your jurisdiction (not to be used with or passed on to retail clients). This is an advertising document. This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered representative of any particular investment. This should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments, or to provide investment advice or services.

Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. Your capital is at risk. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. The value of investments is not guaranteed, and therefore an investor may not get back the amount invested. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency fluctuations and different financial and accounting standards. Risks are enhanced for emerging market issuers.

The securities included herein are for illustrative purposes only, subject to change and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell. Securities discussed may or may not prove profitable. The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change and may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) associates or affiliates. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Columbia Threadneedle and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, may not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not take into consideration individual investor circumstances. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor’s specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Asset classes described may not be appropriate for all investors. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and no forecast should be considered a guarantee either.

Information and opinions provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. This is an advertising document. This document and its contents have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority.

In Australia: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited [“TIS”], ARBN 600 027 414. TIS is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and relies on Class Order 03/1102 in respect of the financial services it provides to wholesale clients in Australia. This document should only be distributed in Australia to “wholesale clients” as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act. TIS is regulated in Singapore (Registration number: 201101559W) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289), which differ from Australian laws.

In Singapore: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited, 3 Killiney Road, #07-07, Winsland House 1, Singapore 239519, which is regulated in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289). Registration number: 201101559W. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

In Hong Kong: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services Hong Kong Limited 天利投資管理香港有限公司. Unit 3004, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Hong Kong, which is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) to conduct Type 1 regulated activities (CE:AQA779). Registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622), No. 1173058.

In Japan: Issued by Columbia Threadneedle Investments Japan Co., Ltd. Financial Instruments Business Operator, The Director-General of Kanto Local Finance Bureau (FIBO) No.3281, and a member of Japan Investment Advisers Association and Type II Financial Instruments Firms Association.

In the USA: Investment products offered through Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA. Advisory services provided by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.

In the UK: Issued by Threadneedle Asset Management Limited. Registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 573204, Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG, United Kingdom. Authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

In the EEA: Issued by Threadneedle Management Luxembourg S.A. Registered with the Registre de Commerce et des Societes (Luxembourg), Registered No. B 110242, 44, rue de la Vallée, L-2661 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

In Switzerland: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services AG, Registered address: Claridenstrasse 41, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland.

In the Middle East: This document is distributed by Columbia Threadneedle Investments (ME) Limited, which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). For Distributors: This document is intended to provide distributors’ with information about Group products and services and is not for further distribution. For Institutional Clients: The information in this document is not intended as financial advice and is only intended for persons with appropriate investment knowledge and who meet the regulatory criteria to be classified as a Professional Client or Market Counterparties and no other Person should act upon it.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

 

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