Asia Pacific: Core markets, defensive sectors and winds of opportunity

Nicholas Holt, Head of Asia Pacific Research; Emily Relf, Capital Markets Director; and Neil Brookes, Head of Capital Markets for Asia Pacific, discuss core markets, defensive sectors and the winds of opportunity post-Covid.

Neil Brookes Asia Pacific Head of Capital Markets – “China was the quickest country to pick up again in terms of transactions; there were a lot of deals under contract already and what we’ve seen as the economy has reopened is people going to inspect properties and sign deals. I think we’ll see more transactions there, also in South Korea which is one of the other countries that has come out of the virus first and thereafter I think activity will be focused on core countries in Asia Pacific, the larger economies that will be less impacted by the virus.”

Emily Relf – director, capital markets, Asia Pacific: “I think there were certain trends already emerging, investment trends that have been accelerated by the virus. We were already seeing a shift to core markets. By the end of 2019, 90% of transactions were happening in the six key markets in Asia and there was a real turn away from the secondary or emerging markets. That’s something we expect to happen even more as people look for safe havens.”