Germany and the Nordics top the European real estate market transaction table in 2015 – EuropaProperty

Real estate outperformed other asset classes in 2015 as record investment in the US helped to drive strong global transaction volumes throughout the year, according to new preliminary figures from JLL. In Europe, Germany and the Nordics enjoyed a standout 2015 with almost 30 percent growth year-on-year.

The Americas led the way in 2015, recording a new record high deal volume of US$313 billion, a 4 percent increase on 2014 and above the previous high of US$304 billion set in 2007.

In Europe, while in USD terms European volumes are 9 percent lower in 2015 at US$253 billion, in local currency they are much more buoyant with 8 percent growth over 2014 levels. All of the major markets across the continent are ahead of 2014; Germany and the Nordics stand out with almost 30 percent growth. Central and Eastern Europe is the only sub-region to see a decline on last year’s volumes, although Russia bucked this trend with volumes up almost 50 percent.

Global real estate investment in USD terms is likely to finish 2015 at around US$689 billion, 3 percent lower than 2014 volumes. The final quarter of 2015 is expected to reach US$194 billion, 15 percent lower than the record-breaking final quarter of 2014.

“As we move into 2016, investor sentiment seems to be more cautious, but there is certainly no sign of investors pulling back in any meaningful way,” said David Green-Morgan, JLL’s global capital markets research director. “Rather, we should expect growth from 2015 levels to be more measured.”

JLL forecasts 2016 global real estate transaction volumes to be in line with 2015 at between US$720-730 billion. Deal volumes across EMEA are expected to grow by 1 percent to US$255 billion.