Private equity real estate deals ease in North America

The number of deals announced by private equity real estate firms globally reached 5,191 in 2017, roughly in line with the previous year; but aggregate deal volume hit a new record high ($287 billion)

Private equity real estate deals ease in North America

The number of deals announced by private equity real estate firms globally reached 5,191 in 2017, roughly in line with the previous year; but aggregate deal volume hit a new record high ($287 billion).

However, there was a slowdown in deals in North America, the only region to see declining deal levels.

Data from alternative assets analysts at Preqin found that North America still accounts for the majority of deal activity, with 3,489 deals announced, representing two-thirds of global transactions and 54% of total deal value in 2017.

But the region’s proportion of global deals and aggregate value has declined from 81% and 72% respectively in 2012.

Europe is gaining
Europe’s proportion of global deal activity has grown and represented 28% of transactions and 31% of total deal value in 2017. Its real estate industry saw record deal activity in 2017, with 1,459 deals announced worth $89bn surpassing the region’s previous record of 1,289 deals worth $67bn in 2016.

The real estate industry in Asia saw aggregate deal value double to $28bn through 77 transactions, driving the region to represent just 1% of deals globally, but 10% of total value.

“Despite sluggish deal activity in the beginning of the year, levels picked up in H2, driving 2017 to be a banner year for the private equity real estate deal industry,” commented Oliver Senchal, Head of Real Estate Products at Preqin.