Listed real estate: current re-pricing drives a more sanguine outlook for 2023
The Global Property Equities Team discuss the opportunities in listed real estate now and the key considerations for investors in the year ahead.
6 minute read
Key takeaways:
- While listed property share prices have fallen sharply in 2022, bond yields have risen faster, resulting in the spread between REITs and bonds narrowing back to the long-term average.
- We are starting to see yield expansion in some real estate markets already. Listed property is already well ahead in this journey with the heavy lifting down in equity markets in 2022.
- Buying listed REITs at current valuations has historically proved to be rewarding in comparison to holding private real estate.
This time last year, we wrote that 2021 was a year of relief given what had happened in 2020. That relief did not last very long as the predicted ‘speedbumps’ turned out to be one very large inflation-shaped hump, which has been difficult for markets to traverse.
2022 looks to be the worst year in more than two centuries for US 10-year government bond returns.1 Equities usually provide some counterbalance to weaker bond markets, but this has not been the case this time round. The MSCI World Index is down 16% at the time of writing, resulting in the worst annualised year-to-date returns for a balanced 60/40 portfolio in a hundred years.2
Truly, there has been nowhere to hide – real estate equities have not been spared either. While historically, listed REITs have demonstrated that they can perform well in periods of rising inflation, 2022 proved to be different. Global real estate investment trusts (or REITs, as measured by the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Total Returns Index) fell almost 24%3. But what has caught most investors off guard has been the magnitude and stubbornness of inflation, coupled with the US Federal Reserve’s response, increasing rates at the fastest pace since 1988-89.4
What do current market valuations imply?
While the overall listed global property market suffered in 2022, there are some important distinctions within regions. Asia proved somewhat more defensive, down only 14% partly due to already distressed valuations and lagged response in some reopened economies post pandemic. To achieve its inflation target, the region’s largest market, Japan, is limiting the 10-year Japanese government bond yield to a maximum of 0.25%. This is in contrast to higher bond yields elsewhere resulting from aggressive rate hiking by other major central banks. On the other hand, European property has fallen by 40% in US dollar terms as the market quickly re-priced off its low interest rate level and now trades at an unprecedented discount to net asset value (NAV), including during the Global Financial Crisis. Meanwhile, the US-listed REIT market returned -23% to 18 November.5 Here, hotels and single tenant property were among the best performers, while both growth and non-growth sectors industrial and office respectively, have been the weakest.
However, the overall story has been one of rising rates, so while share prices have fallen, resulting in higher EBITDA/EV yields (a helpful way of thinking about market implied debt-adjusted real estate yields), bond yields rose faster. This led to the spread (difference between global REITs and 10-year government bond yields) narrowing to the long-term average – ie. the blue line and green line in figure 1 are now at a similar level.
In terms of global real estate yields (dark grey line), they rose from 4.3% at the end of 2021 to 5.7% at end October 2022, so clearly equity markets have done a lot of heavy lifting downwards in response to the movements in bond markets.
Figure 1: Real estate – bond spreads back to long-term average
Global property markets EBITDA/EV yield (%) and US 10-year Treasury yield
Source: UBS, Janus Henderson Investors analysis as at 31 October 2022. Past performance does not predict future returns. Global real estate=UBS coverage universe.
We have already started to see some of this yield expansion reflected in some direct property markets. The UK in particular has been very swift to act, with valuers moving quickly to reflect this new reality. UK prime commercial yields rose by around 50 basis points (bps) over the last 12 months, while prime logistics sector yields are up 175bps since May 2022. 6 Clearly not all markets will move by this magnitude, and indeed valuers may have slightly jumped the gun a little. But the fact that listed global real estate equities have priced in on average 160bps of yield expansion tells us a more constructive view of the market has already been factored into listed REIT share prices, gives us some comfort.
What will matter in 2023? – financial strength and cash flow durability
Another aspect to consider as the cost of debt rises, is the financial health of companies, particularly if balance sheets are well capitalised, and the impact on cash flow stability. On this front, things look better than at any time in recent history. US-listed REITs’ current weighted average term to maturity is more than seven years, and debt levels are also low. Listed REITs also have only around 17% variable debt, compared to circa 60-70% for the largest private real estate managers.7
One final aspect to consider when looking at real estate fundamentals is what is happening to rental levels and how will they be impacted in an economic slowdown?
So far, top line fundamentals have remained strong. No doubt as recessions begin to bite, some of the shine may come off, but with supply relatively muted due to COVID-19 fallout and certain sectors of structural growth such as logistics, data centres, and single tenant residential still enjoying robust demand, there is potential for overall rental growth to remain positive in 2023.
This income durability is a key consideration for our team in the year ahead. We continue to believe a focus on areas of structural growth and undersupply can help cushion against negative cyclical forces.
What is the opportunity today? – public versus private real estate valuations
We have discussed what equity markets are implying for listed property values and what some valuers are already starting to reflect in property valuation write downs. But one area that we have highlighted to investors, and which has so far remained relatively immune, has been private real estate.
According to the most recent returns for the ODCE Index, which reflects the performance of US private real estate, private fund valuations are up 12% year-to-date to 30 September 2022 – a stark contrast to listed US REITs, which are down by almost 30% over the same period. 8 Looking at figure 2, we can see that while past performance does not predict future returns, buying listed REITs at current valuation levels, relative to private real estate has proved to be a smart move for investors over the longer term.
Figure 2: Private versus listed property: buying the discount has historically been rewarded
Source: Bloomberg, NCREIF, Green Street, Janus Henderson Investors analysis, as at 30 September 2022. LHS: Public= US-listed REITs YTD total return as at 30 September 2022. Private property= ODCE Index. Past performance does not predict future returns.
A more sanguine view
In our view, there can be little real doubt that private real estate valuations are likely to have to adjust in 2023. This year has been painful, but thankfully for listed real estate “the band aid has been ripped off.” While 2023 will bring further challenges, we believe the starting point today is more reflective of the reality to come.
1,2 Refinitiv Datastream, US 10-year government bond returns and MSCI World Total Return Index year-to-date to 18 November 2022; BofAML Global Research: The Flow Show dated 23 October and 13 October 2022.
3 Goldmans Sachs Europe Real Estate 15 September 2022. Refinitiv Datastream, Haver Analytics, Kenneth French, Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research. Data from 1950, inflation based on US CPI (Consumer Price Index) and US REITs= FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs Index. Global REITs returns: Refinitiv Datastream: FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Total Returns Index in USD terms from 31 December 2021 to 18 November 2022. Past performance does not predict future returns.
4 Comparing the Speed of U.S. Interest Rate Hikes (1988-2022) (visualcapitalist.com)
5 FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Europe Index, FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Asia Index and FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs Index, total returns in USD terms, year-to-date to 18 November 2022.
6 UK prime yields. Savills: Markets in Minutes: UK Commercial 1 November 2022.
7 Variable and fixed debt: Citi Research: Viewpoint, theHunter Express & Lodging Valuation Tool, 19 September 2022. Thomas R Arnold, David C Ling, Andy Naranjo. “Private Equity Real Estate Fund Performance: A Comparison to REITs and Open-End Core Funds.” The Journal of Portfolio Management Special Real Estate Issue 2021, October 2021.
8 ODCE Index year-to-date returns to 30 September 2022.
Balance sheet: an indicator of a company’s financial health. It is a financial statement that summarises a company’s assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity at a particular point in time. Each segment gives investors an idea as to what the company owns and owes, as well as the amount invested by shareholders.
Bond yield: the level of income on a security, typically expressed as a percentage rate. For a bond, this is calculated as the coupon payment divided by the current bond price.
Discount to NAV: occurs when the REIT’s market price is lower than the most recent NAV. A discount often indicates the market is generally bearish on the investments in the portfolio. Net Asset Value is the value of the portfolio’s assets at market close, minus liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding.
Leverage: in the context of this article, we refer to the amount of debt that a REIT carries. The leverage ratio is measured as the ratio of debt to total assets.
EBITDA/EV yield: a financial valuation ratio that measures a company’s return on investment (ROI) NAV. It seeks to value similar companies using the same financial metrics. Cash flows are used to evaluate the value of a company, one with a healthy cash flow will have a high EBITDA/EV value and vice versa.
Weighted average maturity (WAM): the average time remaining until the maturity of a debt portfolio.
MSCI World Index℠ reflects the equity market performance of global developed markets.
ODCE Index is a core capitalisation-weighted index that includes only unlisted open-end diversified core strategy funds with at least 95% of their investments in US markets.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
REITs or Real Estate Investment Trusts are an investment vehicle that invests in real estate, through direct ownership of property assets, property shares or mortgages. As they are listed on a stock exchange, REITs are usually highly liquid and trade like a normal share.
Real estate securities, including Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) may be subject to additional risks, including interest rate, management, tax, economic, environmental and concentration risks.
Foreign securities are subject to additional risks including currency fluctuations, political and economic uncertainty, increased volatility, lower liquidity, and differing financial and information reporting standards, all of which are magnified in emerging markets.
These are the views of the author at the time of publication and may differ from the views of other individuals/teams at Janus Henderson Investors. References made to individual securities do not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, investment strategy or market sector, and should not be assumed to be profitable. Janus Henderson Investors, its affiliated advisor, or its employees, may have a position in the securities mentioned.
Past performance does not predict future returns. The value of an investment and the income from it can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the amount originally invested.
The information in this article does not qualify as an investment recommendation.
Marketing Communication.
Important information
Please read the following important information regarding funds related to this article.
- Shares/Units can lose value rapidly, and typically involve higher risks than bonds or money market instruments. The value of your investment may fall as a result.
- Shares of small and mid-size companies can be more volatile than shares of larger companies, and at times it may be difficult to value or to sell shares at desired times and prices, increasing the risk of losses.
- If a Fund has a high exposure to a particular country or geographical region it carries a higher level of risk than a Fund which is more broadly diversified.
- The Fund is focused towards particular industries or investment themes and may be heavily impacted by factors such as changes in government regulation, increased price competition, technological advancements and other adverse events.
- This Fund may have a particularly concentrated portfolio relative to its investment universe or other funds in its sector. An adverse event impacting even a small number of holdings could create significant volatility or losses for the Fund.
- The Fund invests in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other companies or funds engaged in property investment, which involve risks above those associated with investing directly in property. In particular, REITs may be subject to less strict regulation than the Fund itself and may experience greater volatility than their underlying assets.
- The Fund may use derivatives with the aim of reducing risk or managing the portfolio more efficiently. However this introduces other risks, in particular, that a derivative counterparty may not meet its contractual obligations.
- If the Fund holds assets in currencies other than the base currency of the Fund, or you invest in a share/unit class of a different currency to the Fund (unless hedged, i.e. mitigated by taking an offsetting position in a related security), the value of your investment may be impacted by changes in exchange rates.
- When the Fund, or a share/unit class, seeks to mitigate exchange rate movements of a currency relative to the base currency (hedge), the hedging strategy itself may positively or negatively impact the value of the Fund due to differences in short-term interest rates between the currencies.
- Securities within the Fund could become hard to value or to sell at a desired time and price, especially in extreme market conditions when asset prices may be falling, increasing the risk of investment losses.
- Some or all of the ongoing charges may be taken from capital, which may erode capital or reduce potential for capital growth.
- The Fund could lose money if a counterparty with which the Fund trades becomes unwilling or unable to meet its obligations, or as a result of failure or delay in operational processes or the failure of a third party provider.
Specific risks
- Shares/Units can lose value rapidly, and typically involve higher risks than bonds or money market instruments. The value of your investment may fall as a result.
- The Fund is focused towards particular industries or investment themes and may be heavily impacted by factors such as changes in government regulation, increased price competition, technological advancements and other adverse events.
- This Fund may have a particularly concentrated portfolio relative to its investment universe or other funds in its sector. An adverse event impacting even a small number of holdings could create significant volatility or losses for the Fund.
- The Fund invests in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other companies or funds engaged in property investment, which involve risks above those associated with investing directly in property. In particular, REITs may be subject to less strict regulation than the Fund itself and may experience greater volatility than their underlying assets.
- The Fund may use derivatives with the aim of reducing risk or managing the portfolio more efficiently. However this introduces other risks, in particular, that a derivative counterparty may not meet its contractual obligations.
- If the Fund holds assets in currencies other than the base currency of the Fund, or you invest in a share/unit class of a different currency to the Fund (unless hedged, i.e. mitigated by taking an offsetting position in a related security), the value of your investment may be impacted by changes in exchange rates.
- When the Fund, or a share/unit class, seeks to mitigate exchange rate movements of a currency relative to the base currency (hedge), the hedging strategy itself may positively or negatively impact the value of the Fund due to differences in short-term interest rates between the currencies.
- Securities within the Fund could become hard to value or to sell at a desired time and price, especially in extreme market conditions when asset prices may be falling, increasing the risk of investment losses.
- Some or all of the ongoing charges may be taken from capital, which may erode capital or reduce potential for capital growth.
- The Fund could lose money if a counterparty with which the Fund trades becomes unwilling or unable to meet its obligations, or as a result of failure or delay in operational processes or the failure of a third party provider.
- In addition to income, this share class may distribute realised and unrealised capital gains and original capital invested. Fees, charges and expenses are also deducted from capital. Both factors may result in capital erosion and reduced potential for capital growth. Investors should also note that distributions of this nature may be treated (and taxable) as income depending on local tax legislation.
Specific risks
- Shares/Units can lose value rapidly, and typically involve higher risks than bonds or money market instruments. The value of your investment may fall as a result.
- Shares of small and mid-size companies can be more volatile than shares of larger companies, and at times it may be difficult to value or to sell shares at desired times and prices, increasing the risk of losses.
- If a Fund has a high exposure to a particular country or geographical region it carries a higher level of risk than a Fund which is more broadly diversified.
- The Fund is focused towards particular industries or investment themes and may be heavily impacted by factors such as changes in government regulation, increased price competition, technological advancements and other adverse events.
- This Fund may have a particularly concentrated portfolio relative to its investment universe or other funds in its sector. An adverse event impacting even a small number of holdings could create significant volatility or losses for the Fund.
- The Fund invests in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other companies or funds engaged in property investment, which involve risks above those associated with investing directly in property. In particular, REITs may be subject to less strict regulation than the Fund itself and may experience greater volatility than their underlying assets.
- The Fund may use derivatives with the aim of reducing risk or managing the portfolio more efficiently. However this introduces other risks, in particular, that a derivative counterparty may not meet its contractual obligations.
- If the Fund holds assets in currencies other than the base currency of the Fund, or you invest in a share/unit class of a different currency to the Fund (unless hedged, i.e. mitigated by taking an offsetting position in a related security), the value of your investment may be impacted by changes in exchange rates.
- When the Fund, or a share/unit class, seeks to mitigate exchange rate movements of a currency relative to the base currency (hedge), the hedging strategy itself may positively or negatively impact the value of the Fund due to differences in short-term interest rates between the currencies.
- Securities within the Fund could become hard to value or to sell at a desired time and price, especially in extreme market conditions when asset prices may be falling, increasing the risk of investment losses.
- The Fund may incur a higher level of transaction costs as a result of investing in less actively traded or less developed markets compared to a fund that invests in more active/developed markets. These transaction costs are in addition to the Fund's Ongoing Charges.
- Some or all of the ongoing charges may be taken from capital, which may erode capital or reduce potential for capital growth.
- The Fund could lose money if a counterparty with which the Fund trades becomes unwilling or unable to meet its obligations, or as a result of failure or delay in operational processes or the failure of a third party provider.
- In addition to income, this share class may distribute realised and unrealised capital gains and original capital invested. Fees, charges and expenses are also deducted from capital. Both factors may result in capital erosion and reduced potential for capital growth. Investors should also note that distributions of this nature may be treated (and taxable) as income depending on local tax legislation.
Specific risks
- Shares/Units can lose value rapidly, and typically involve higher risks than bonds or money market instruments. The value of your investment may fall as a result.
- Shares of small and mid-size companies can be more volatile than shares of larger companies, and at times it may be difficult to value or to sell shares at desired times and prices, increasing the risk of losses.
- The Fund is focused towards particular industries or investment themes and may be heavily impacted by factors such as changes in government regulation, increased price competition, technological advancements and other adverse events.
- The Fund invests in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other companies or funds engaged in property investment, which involve risks above those associated with investing directly in property. In particular, REITs may be subject to less strict regulation than the Fund itself and may experience greater volatility than their underlying assets.
- The Fund may use derivatives to help achieve its investment objective. This can result in leverage (higher levels of debt), which can magnify an investment outcome. Gains or losses to the Fund may therefore be greater than the cost of the derivative. Derivatives also introduce other risks, in particular, that a derivative counterparty may not meet its contractual obligations.
- If the Fund holds assets in currencies other than the base currency of the Fund, or you invest in a share/unit class of a different currency to the Fund (unless hedged, i.e. mitigated by taking an offsetting position in a related security), the value of your investment may be impacted by changes in exchange rates.
- When the Fund, or a share/unit class, seeks to mitigate exchange rate movements of a currency relative to the base currency (hedge), the hedging strategy itself may positively or negatively impact the value of the Fund due to differences in short-term interest rates between the currencies.
- Securities within the Fund could become hard to value or to sell at a desired time and price, especially in extreme market conditions when asset prices may be falling, increasing the risk of investment losses.
- Some or all of the ongoing charges may be taken from capital, which may erode capital or reduce potential for capital growth.
- The Fund could lose money if a counterparty with which the Fund trades becomes unwilling or unable to meet its obligations, or as a result of failure or delay in operational processes or the failure of a third party provider.
- In addition to income, this share class may distribute realised and unrealised capital gains and original capital invested. Fees, charges and expenses are also deducted from capital. Both factors may result in capital erosion and reduced potential for capital growth. Investors should also note that distributions of this nature may be treated (and taxable) as income depending on local tax legislation.
Specific risks
6 minute read
Key takeaways:
- While listed property share prices have fallen sharply in 2022, bond yields have risen faster, resulting in the spread between REITs and bonds narrowing back to the long-term average.
- We are starting to see yield expansion in some real estate markets already. Listed property is already well ahead in this journey with the heavy lifting down in equity markets in 2022.
- Buying listed REITs at current valuations has historically proved to be rewarding in comparison to holding private real estate.
