COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL WHITEPAPER PAPER | JANUARY 2013 21 PREDICTIONS FOR 2013 | |WHITE
JANUARY 2013
Colliers International’s 21 Predictions for 2013 Table Of Contents 2
GLOBAL
3
ASIA
4
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
5
CANADA
5
EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
6
LATIN AMERICA
7
UNITED STATES
General investor mood is one of cautious optimism around the globe. Colliers’ Global Investor Sentiment Survey revealed that most property investors now classify themselves as low to moderate risk-takers. Yet, there is much to be positive about in the coming year, with investors expecting steady economic improvement. We favor this sentiment and believe that while the global economy will face headwinds from recession in Europe and moderating global demand for commodities, 2013 will end with a respectable 1.5% to 2% global GDP growth rate. For the commercial property sector, beneficiaries of the current environment will include office properties in global safe-haven cities such as London and New York and industrial properties in global transportation centers that have enacted infrastructure investments, such as U.S. East Coast ports including Baltimore, Charleston and Miami, which have invested the capital to prepare for the widening of the Panama Canal.
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COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL WHITEPAPER PAPER | JANUARY 2013 21 PREDICTIONS FOR 2013 | |WHITE
GLOBAL 1 — ICEE INDUSTRIES WILL DRIVE FIRST WORLD ECONOMIC GROWTH
Intellectual Capital, Energy and Education (ICEE) industries will drive economic growth in the developed world. Tech growth will continue to support FIRE (Finance, Insurance and Real Estate) demand in markets such as San Francisco, Tel Aviv, Dublin and London. › In the U.K. and North America, maturing e-commerce networks will reshape distribution strategies in the logistics market. › Tech companies will generate further demand for office space, although many will be sophisticated users with lighter-than-traditional office footprints. 2 — LABOR DISPUTES WILL CAUSE TRADE DISRUPTIONS
Disagreement between management and labor, for a variety of causes, will affect economic growth in the coming year. Port labor strife is likely to be a dominant global threat through 2014. › Strikes by the International Longshoremen’s Association could close down major ports on both U.S. coasts, backing up retail supply chains and disrupting transportation and warehousing. Shippers and retailers will look to expand redundancy in their port-related supply chains and also grow port relationships in Canada, Mexico and U.S. right-to-work states. › Europe can expect labor flare-ups in struggling Spain and Greece. In France, new austerity measures could also spark public sector workers to strike. › Wage disputes at the Panama Canal could halt or slow both expansion work and cargo traffic. 3 — CMBS WILL BE SUBDUED FOR A FOURTH YEAR AS U.S. BANKS PLAY THE WAITING GAME
CMBS loan growth will continue its sluggish recovery as U.S. banks take a wait-and-see approach to new federal regulations. The Fed has announced no timeline for the release of bank capital hold requirements. When the rules are made clear, CMBS issuance in the U.S. will rise. In Europe, CMBS issuance remains subdued not for lack of rule clarity but rather a lack of demand due to nervousness about the general state of the European economy and the fact that a significant number of legacy loans are still in work-out or standstill mode.
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ASIA 4 — PRICE INFLATION WILL PRESSURE HEATED ASIAN REAL ESTATE
We expect most Asian economies to foster private consumption growth through a variety of policy initiatives in 2013. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions could push oil prices sharply higher given low global inventories and spare capacity. Extreme weather conditions may lead to harvest disruption and also inflate prices. Real estate investment will be especially attractive amid expectations of price inflation, but it will add pressure to the already heated Asian real estate markets. 5 — PROPERTY YIELDS IN ASIA WILL COMPRESS TO HISTORIC LOWS
The continued high volume of capital seeking investment in a limited supply of Asian real estate will combine with the growing risk appetite of real estate funds with newly loosened loan-to-value ratios. This will be supported by new lending on both core and mezzanine loans. 6 — ASIAN COOLING MEASURES ARE HERE TO STAY
In anticipation of currency appreciation and sustained capital flow into Asia, most of the restrictive residential market cooling measures will remain intact throughout 2013. Governments will stabilize markets to avoid social unrest caused by soaring residential prices. The new Chinese leadership is expected to adopt a more conservative approach to growth and economic reform. Non-residential real estate assets will be increasingly popular among a wider group of buyers including private equities, end users and real estate funds. 7 — JAPAN’S ECONOMY WILL IMPROVE
With the Liberal Democratic Party back in power after the December election, a new prime minister will enact economic stimulus measures meant to hold down inflation, making for a cheaper yen to support an export-led economy. 8 — CHINA WILL SEE RISING DEMAND FOR LOGISTICS
Relatively little land in China has been designated for development into logistics property. This constrained new supply, combined with several other factors, will make Chinese logistics facilities star performers in 2013.
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› A growing roster of small to medium enterprises will outsource their logistics operations to save costs. › Intra-regional trade flows in Asia will continue to perform well, compared to total exports to the western economies. › Inflation fears in countries including China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand will foster retail sales of foodstuffs and consumer goods, as well as the logistics required to deliver them to the marketplace. 9 — INDIA’S GDP WILL BEAT FORECASTER EXPECTATIONS
India’s GDP growth will reach 6.5% in 2013. Past growth forecasts have suffered from downward revision owing to the lack of implemented reform measures expected from the current government. However, the government has recently displayed a keen resolve to introduce numerous fiscal and economic measures, including allowing foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail; introduction of a uniform goods and service tax; capping subsidies on LPG, diesel, petrol and fertilizers; pilot programs for direct cash transfer; reducing the budget deficit; and increasing investment in infrastructure. India’s central bank is expected to slash bank rates in the first quarter of 2013, which will further foster growth. 10 — INDIAN RENTAL RATES WILL DROP ON THE BACK OF LOW DEMAND AND HIGH VACANCY
The year-to-date absorption of commercial office space in the third quarter of 2012 was approximately 40% lower than the same period in 2011. Our expectations for demand for office space in 2013 are also low. Rental values will face downward pressure on the back of low demand and vacant stock. Bangalore—India’s IT hub—will be the most resilient market. Its current 14% vacancy is lower than other Indian cities. On the other hand, cities like Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi will face moderate downward pressure on rental values.
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND 11 — AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR WILL REMAIN HIGH
The two-speed nature of Australia’s economic growth will continue, however slowing economic growth in China and a stalling of several major mining projects means that mining growth is set to moderate. While there is some hope that this will lead to a depreciation of the Australian dollar and a corresponding resurgence in the larger, non-mining states of New South Wales and Victoria, this has not yet occurred. We expect that quantitative easing in Europe, U.S. and Japan will keep the Australian dollar high for at least the next 12 months.
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12 — DOMESTIC INVESTORS WILL RAMP UP COMPETITION IN AUSTRALIA
Offshore investors account for more than half of all transactions in excess of AU$5 million (US$5.24 million) in 2011 and 2012, attracted by the transparency of Australian property markets, strong economic growth and, most importantly, the high yields of Australian property relative to other investment opportunities. One of the main reasons that yields remained high despite strong interest from offshore groups is that Australian investors have been relatively inactive. This has started to change over the past six months with a number of domestic REITS acquiring properties once again, as well as several Australian pension funds stating that they would be increasing their allocations to direct property. Expect a firming of yields in 2013, particularly for prime stock, and investors moving up the risk curve to achieve superior returns.
CANADA 13 — CANADIAN DEMAND DIVIDE WILL CONTINUE
In Canada, the divide between the east and west is firmly entrenched, with the energy and mining sectors driving stronger commercial property demand in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Industrial demand will be moderate in the East, as export and goods production activity flattens. Canadian office space demand will soften in major markets with the exception of Calgary and Edmonton.
EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA 14 - EUROPEAN BIFURCATION: EURO AREA WILL SEE A FURTHER NORTH/SOUTH SPLIT
Northern countries in the eurozone will continue to see stronger economic growth than their southern and peripheral counterparts, which will remain weak with local recessions.
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The eurozone as a whole will post marginal 0.25% GDP growth in 2013, with business investment and occupier demand gaining traction in the second half of the year. 15 — EMEA PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS WILL GROW BY UP TO 10%
We expect transaction velocity to struggle in early 2013, but gain momentum through a modest economic recovery in the second half of the year. New lending sources such as insurance companies and mezzanine funds will continue to develop and partly ease the challenging lending environment. The year will end with transaction volume as much as 10% greater than in 2012. 16 — EUROPEAN ELECTIONS WILL NOT THREATEN THE EUROZONE
While upcoming elections in Germany and Italy will prolong uncertainty and potentially create volatility in investment markets, they do not pose a true threat. Germany’s support of the eurozone will continue post-election. The risk that Italy’s April elections will fail to produce a government willing to continue on the reform path is also low. Mario Monti has brought stability and confidence back to Italy and it is unlikely that Berlusconi will return to power. We expect a center-left government in Italy’s future and with it a continuation on the reform path. 17 — CAPITAL WILL SEEK SAFETY IN LONDON
Colliers International’s 2013 Global Investor Sentiment reported that more than half (56%) of EMEA investors surveyed think it a good time to invest in the region and 59% plan to expand their portfolios. For most of these investors, Paris, German core cities and especially London are safe havens they will choose for capital protection. EMEA investors seek liquid and transparent markets with a quality stock of investment properties. Because London is outside the eurozone, it is especially attractive in these times of euro uncertainty. Investors are willing to trade relative security for lower yields.
LATIN AMERICA 18 — MEXICAN ECONOMIC GROWTH WILL OUTPACE THE U.S. AND CANADA
Mexico has seen three years of continuous growth and we expect this emerging market to beat out its northern neighbors in terms of percentage of GDP growth in 2013. Mexico’s GDP will grow by 3.56%, with economic stability through President Enrique Peña Nieto’s transition into power.
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21 PREDICTIONS FOR 2013 | WHITE PAPER | JANUARY 2013
522 offices in 62 countries on 6 continents United States: 147 Canada: 37 Latin America: 19 Asia Pacific: 201 EMEA: 118 • $1.8
billion in annual revenue
billion square feet under management
• 1.25
• Over
12,300 professionals and staff
UNITED STATES 19 — U.S. GDP GROWTH WILL STUMBLE, THEN RECOVER
In the United States, 2013 will be the third consecutive year of 2% to 2.5% GDP growth. The majority of growth will occur in the second half of the year, when the fiscal cliff threat and ILA East Coast port strike are in our rear-view mirrors. 20 — U.S. HOUSING RECOVERY WILL SOLIDIFY
REGIONAL CONTRIBUTORS: Bruno Berretta (EMEA) Mark Charlton (U.K) Nerida Conisbee (Australia) KC Conway (U.S.) James Cook (U.S.) Flavio Gómez Aranzubia (Mexico) Simon Lo (Asia) Ian MacCulloch (Canada) Amit Oberoi (India) Yumiko Yasada (Japan)
The U.S. single-family housing market is finally in recovery. The National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index shows 201 housing markets now in recovery— a post-recession high. This trend will continue in 2013. NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) 220 210 200 190 180 170 160
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Copyright © 2013 Colliers International. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources deemed reliable. While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, we cannot guarantee it. No responsibility is assumed for any inaccuracies. Readers are encouraged to consult their professional advisors prior to acting on any of the material contained in this report.
21 — U.S. INDUSTRIAL WILL BE A TOP INVESTOR TARGET
With the expansion of the Panama Canal and the emergence of new Post-Panamax routes to the East Coast, demand for modern industrial property will rise surrounding port cities. We expect strong investor interest in the entire U.S. warehouse sector, thanks to several ongoing trends: › Industrial yields remain higher than for other commercial property types. › Despite growing demand, industrial construction remains low. › Industrial properties experienced less distress than other commercial property types.
Accelerating success.
› As U.S. trade with global emerging markets grows, so too will the demand for warehouse space to store traded goods. COLLIERS.COM/RESEARCH |
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