Los Angeles, December 11, 2013 – Retail properties showed the strongest growth in capital values and rents of all property types globally in Q3 2013, according to CBRE Group, Inc.
“Commercial real estate capital values generally rose faster than leasing fundamentals across all property types in Q3 2013, reflecting several capital markets trends that have been prevalent for some time,” said Dr. Raymond Torto, Global Chairman, CBRE Research. “First, returns in commercial real estate have been very strong relative to other major asset classes, attracting institutional capital sources to the sector. Second, the number of assets available for sale remained relatively limited. Finally, commercial real estate fundamentals are expected to improve and catch up with capital markets demand as regional economies continue to recover. This optimism is buttressed by the lack of new construction resulting in a tight leasing availability, especially in mature commercial real estate markets.”
CBRE Global Capital Value Indices
- The CBRE global capital value indices showed gains on both a quarterly and annual basis for all property types. The indices highlight the fact that capital flows—rather than market fundamentals—remained the main growth driver for commercial real estate. This trend has been in place for several years as commercial real estate’s earning multiple has risen faster than property earnings.
- The CBRE Global Retail Capital Value Index showed the strongest growth among property types, rising 2% during the quarter, and by 8% year-over-year. During Q3 2013, the Global Industrial Capital Value Index rose 1.4%, and the Global Office Capital Value Index rose 1.1%.
- Regional capital values rose most strongly in the Americas, which saw growth of almost 7% on an annual basis.
CBRE Global Rent Indices
- On a global basis, rents reflected positive, but slowing growth across all property types.
- The CBRE Global Retail Rent Index fared best, rising more than 1% during the quarter and by 4% year-over-year. Rising retail rents reflect limited space availability and increased demand from retailers who need to position their shops and are attracted to prime space.
- Meanwhile, office rents were virtually unchanged, and industrial rents improved less than 1% during the quarter.
- In the office sector, the Americas, dominated by U.S. markets, posted the strongest rent growth. A contributing factor in this growth has been the historically low levels of new office construction.
