UK Property Market Trends - August 2018 Contact us - BMO Real Estate Partners
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For Professional Clients and/or Qualified Investors only UK Property Market Trends August 2018 Contact us BMO REP forecasts show positive total returns, averaging 4.6% per annum over five years, underpinned by the income return. UK, London – Head Office BMO REP has upgraded the 2018 all-property total return forecast to 5.2%, reflecting BMO Real Estate Partners the strength of investor demand in the property market. The upgrades have been most 7 Seymour Street marked for Central London offices and standard industrials. Forecasts for 2019 have London been slightly downgraded, reflecting the possible impact on sentiment from interest W1H 7BA rate rises and the Brexit negotiations. We are projecting a modest recovery thereafter. 020 7499 2244 Research Components of BMO REP Forecast All-Property Sue Bjorkegren Total Returns – per cent sbjorkegren@bmorep.com 6 5 Business Development 4 3 Jamie Kellett 2 1 0 jkellett@bmorep.com -1 -2 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Implied Income Return Capital Growth Total Returns Source: BMO REP July 2018 Telephone calls may be recorded. Forecasts are provided for illustrative purposes; are not a guarantee of future performance; should not be relied upon for investment decisions; and are subject to change without notice. Key Risks Our review and outlook is a marketing communication providing an overview of the recent economic and property market environment. It should not be considered as advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold investments. Nor is it investment research and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of its dissemination. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. The value of investments and income derived from them can go down as well as up as a result of market or currency movements and investors may not get back the original amount invested. The value of directly held property reflects the opinion of valuers and is reviewed periodically. These assets can also be illiquid and significant or persistent redemptions may require the manager to sell properties at a lower market value adversely affecting the value of your investment. Continued
PAGE 2 Economic and Property Market Overview The UK commercial property market is continuing to deliver steady positive total returns but may be at a plateau. Market Snapshot Q2 2018 All Retail Offices Industrial Alternatives Total Returns 2.2 0.5 1.6 5.1 2.6 Income Return 1.3 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.3 Capital Growth 0.9 -1.0 0.5 3.9 1.3 Rental Growth 0.2 -0.5 0.3 1.2 0.2 Gross Rent Passing 1.0 -0.3 2.8 1.3 0.0 Net Initial Yield 5.0 5.7 4.5 4.6 4.9 Source: IPD Monthly Digest June 2018. The definition of Alternatives is the Portfolio Analysis Service definition of “other” which includes hotels, residential, leisure etc. The economy is showing signs of improved growth after a weak start to the year, but it remains lack-lustre. Concerns about Brexit remain as the March 2019 deadline approaches, with seemingly Total Returns by Segment Q2 2018 per cent little agreement within the UK government, and much to be finalised with the EU. Standard Industrials Distribution Warehousing Offices City Three Month Rolling Average All-Property Total Alternatives Offices Rest of UK Return – per cent to June 2018 All-Property Offices Rest of South East Standard Shops Central London Offices West End/Midtown 9 8 Retail Warehousing 7 Standard Shops - Rest of UK 6 Shopping Centres 5 Standard Shops - SEE* 4 3 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2 1 0 Source: IPD Monthly Digest June 2018 *SEE – South East and Eastern 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Source: IPD Monthly Digest June 2018 The industrial and distribution sectors continue to drive performance, together with alternatives and, in this quarter, City offices. Compared with the previous quarter, standard industrials, At the all-property level, property delivered a 2.2% all-property provincial offices and City offices delivered an improved total return in the second quarter compared with 2.3% in the performance, with retail weakening. previous quarter. The income return has remained stable and Most parts of the market have seen a weakening in investment was 5.4% in the year to June 2018, with annual capital growth activity in 2018 compared with the like period of 2017, and only of 5.3%. Rental growth was 0.2% in the quarter compared with Central London offices, leisure and alternatives saw investment 0.4% in the previous quarter. The quarterly growth in gross rent levels above the long-run average in the second quarter. passing, at 1.0% was the highest in almost three years. Continued
PAGE 3 Overseas investors bought almost £5.5 billion of property but sales levels also increased to reduce net investment from this source to its lowest level since the global financial crisis. Yield Gap – All-Property Initial Yield versus 10 Institutions are becoming net investors in property once again, Year Gilt Yield percentage points but this reflects a lack of disposals rather than a renewed appetite to buy. Inflows to retail property funds were positive in the second quarter. 5.0 4.0 3.0 UK Property Investment Activity – £ million 2.0 1.0 0.0 25000 -1.0 -2.0 20000 2006 2009 2008 2004 2005 2002 2003 2007 2001 2010 2016 2018 2017 2014 2012 2013 2015 2011 15000 10000 Yield Gap Long-Term Average 5000 Source: IPD Monthly Digest June 2018, Bank of England 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Overseas Domestic The UK commercial property market continues to deliver a solid performance, underpinned by an annual income return of more Source: Property Data July 2018 than 5%. There is polarisation with industrials pulling further ahead and retail struggling. Given the economic and political headwinds and a move to higher interest rates, the market may The yield gap between property and the risk-free rate was have reached a plateau. broadly stable during the quarter and well above the long- run average. Demand is strong for prime property with a long income stream, but some parts of the market, such as industrials and Central London offices, may be starting to look expensive, and there are major concerns about the retail sector. There is a search for yield and genuine value-add opportunities, and growing interest in alternatives. Two Recent Acquisitions Apollo Aston Road, Units 2 and 4 Estuary Business Park, Birmingham Liverpool Continued
PAGE 4 The Economic and Property Market Outlook BMO REP forecasts show performance driven by industrials, distribution, alternatives and offices outside London. The UK GDP consensus forecast for 2018 has been revised lower The domestic political climate and the lack of clarity regarding over the last quarter, but the economic outlook is predicted to the Brexit terms remains a major concern for the market. At be fairly benign on consensus forecasts with positive, if modest, present, investors seem to regard this as a drag on growth GDP growth being sustained. Inflation is predicted to decelerate rather than presaging a recession. The outcome of the October towards the Bank of England target. Interest rates are expected 2018 negotiations and EU summit and the approach of the March to move higher, but at a gradual pace. Consensus expectations 2019 deadline are key milestones which could potentially change are for the official rate to be only 1% by mid-2019. Analysts matters for better or worse. We believe that a “no deal” Brexit expect some easing in fiscal policy over the coming year. would be negative for property across the board. Sentiment is being supported by the strength of the global economy and hopes that a weaker sterling will boost export prospects. Consensus forecasts are for the UK to out-perform the Eurozone after 2019 and by around 0.5 percentage points per Forecast Yield Gap – percentage points annum in the longer-term. However, the protectionist stance of President Trump and the possible intensification of tariff wars have added an element of uncertainty. 7 6 5 4 Consensus Real GDP Forecasts – per cent 3 2 1 3.5 0 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 3.0 2.5 Long-Term Risk Premium 2001-2018 2.0 Consensus Gilt Yield Forecast Initial Yield June 2018 1.5 1.0 Sources: IPD Monthly Digest June 2018, Consensus Economics July 2018, April 0.5 2018, Bank of England 0.0 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 UK Eurozone US The longevity of the property cycle upswing has been extended Sources: Consensus Economics July 2018, April 2018 by the prolonged period of low interest rates and the weight of money moving into property. Although official interest rates were raised after quarter-end, consensus expectations indicate that upward pressure on property yields is not imminent, although the period after 2020, may prove more challenging. Continued
PAGE 5 Industrial, distribution and some alternative assets are expected There are longer-term issues affecting property. This has to deliver superior performance, along with offices outside been seen most starkly for retail property where a number of London. We still expect Central London retail to perform administrations, company voluntary arrangements and store creditably, but we believe that regional shops and shopping rationalisations have combined to turn sentiment against the centres could continue to struggle. Retail warehousing and sector. In offices, the growth of flexible working is affecting the regional offices could benefit from their generally higher yields. demand for space and while some disadvantages of serviced Despite its recent resilience, we are forecasting that Central offices are becoming apparent, the trend towards shorter leases London offices will be affected by weaker occupier demand and and demand for higher quality space appears more durable. The the return of second-hand space. industrials market remains attractive but is expensive and some rental growth assumptions by purchasers could prove optimistic. Alternative property sectors are expected to continue to grow in importance as investors seek long income or higher yields, but BMO REP Forecast Total Returns by Segment this is a diverse market. end 2017-end 2022 – per cent per annum The period of annual double-digit total returns may be drawing to a close, but property still benefits from a relatively high and stable income return, long-term contracted income and Standard retail an established, large and mature investment market. We are Shopping centres Retail warehouses forecasting a period of positive total returns, underpinned by the City offices income return. West End offices South Eastern offices Rest of UK offices Standard industrial Distribution Alternatives All-Property 0 2 4 6 8 10 Source: BMO REP July 2018 Forecasts are provided for illustrative purposes; are not a guarantee of future performance; should not be relied upon for investment decisions; and are subject to change without notice. Continued
PAGE 6 Key Transactions Data 5 Broadgate, London One Park Row, Leeds The Mint office building, Edinburgh Several large deals involving overseas Strong demand for some regional Forward funding and purchasing buyers but they are also selling assets office assets Hines is to forward purchase The Mint CK Asset Holdings of Hong Kong has Atlantic Quay 1, Glasgow said to be under office building in Edinburgh. bought 5 Broadgate for £1bn at a offer at well above the asking price, at a Tritax is to forward fund a £121m 3.95% yield from British Land and GIC 5.25% yield, and following strong bidding, industrial scheme in Darlington, pre-let to (Singapore). to a Middle Eastern investor. Amazon, at a 5% yield. Ho Bee of Singapore has bought One Park Row, Leeds has been sold to Ropemaker Place in London for £650m – CCLA for £35.6m at a 4.43% yield. from a consortium of overseas investors. A divestment from shopping centres A search for yield Industrials still favoured Hammerson is preparing to sell a 50% M7, an industrial specialist, is set to buy LondonMetric has bought a portfolio of stake in Highcross, Leicester to a Japanese the Alpha portfolio of retail warehousing assets for £55m at a 4.4% yield bank for £240m at a 5.5% yield. at a 7.15% yield. L&G has purchased a £182.3m industrial Lone Star is planning to sell shopping Regional REIT has bought a portfolio of estate in Dunstable at a 5.02% yield. centres in Southampton, Falkirk and primarily regional office assets for £35m Gloucester from its Tiger portfolio. at an 8.4% yield. Alternatives in demand Local authority buying at keen yields Investors attracted to long income but stock is sparse Student accommodation – Allianz is Liverpool Council has bought Central buying a 40% stake for £350m in the shopping centre in the city from Aviva for The Supermarket REIT has bought a Tesco Chapter London portfolio. £17m at a 4.8% yield. Extra in Scunthorpe for £53m at a 5.1% yield with 22 years unexpired and RPI- Fonciere des Regions has bought a Portsmouth Council has bought an office linked uplifts. portfolio of 14 hotels from Starwood for building in Queen St, Manchester for £9m £858m. at a 4.75% yield. Continued
PAGE 7 LEGAL INFORMATION This document: • has been issued and approved by, and is the sole responsibility of, BMO REP Asset Management plc of 5 Wigmore Street, London W1U 1PB (“BMO REP”) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom (registration no. 119283). • is for professional investors/advisers only and the information in it may not be appropriate for all persons in all jurisdictions in the world. By accepting this document, you represent and warrant to BMO REP that you are an appropriate person to receive such information. • should not be considered as nor constitute as any investment, tax, legal or other advice and you should obtain specific professional advice before making any investment decision. Nor is it an offer or solicitation to deal in any of the investments or funds mentioned in it, by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. • contains confidential information belonging to BMO REP and/or third parties and is supplied to you solely for your information and may not be forwarded to any other person, reproduced or published in whole or in part for any purpose. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is given by BMO REP or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained in this document. Save in the case of fraud, no liability is accepted for loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of the reader, any person or group of persons acting on any information or opinion contained in this document. BMO REP Asset Management plc is a subsidiary of BMO Real Estate Partners LLP and are members of the BMO Financial Group, which is itself wholly-owned by the Bank of Montreal. © 2018 BMO Real Estate Partners LLP. Registered in England and Wales with number OC338377. Registered Office: 7 Seymour Street, London W1H 7BA. BMO Real Estate Partners LLP, BMO REP Asset Management Plc and BMO REP Property Management Limited are members of the BMO Financial Group and are subsidiaries of the Bank of Montreal. CM17479 (08/18) UK, CH.
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