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Ignis UK Property Fund - July 2010
Review and Outlook
According to the IPD Monthly Index for May 2010, all property total returns fell from 1.4% in the pervious month to 1.1% in May, the second consecutive month of diminishing total returns. Reduced capital growth (0.5%) was again the principal reason for the reduction in total return. With rental value growth continuing to be marginally negative, total returns remain underpinned by the income return at 0.6%. The IPD All Property Equivalent Yield at the end of May moved in by only 8bps to 7.57%, the smallest shift year to date.
Prime yields have generally stabilised and investor demand has weakened in recent months as a result of growing nervousness over the economy, as well as renewed financial market uncertainty. Whilst the June emergency budget had little direct impact, with Stamp Duty remaining unchanged and the CGT rise being immediately implemented, the wider outcomes of fiscal tightening will be felt in the commercial property market through its economic affects in property demand. Reduced consumption will create tighter trading markets for retailers, with a push on effect down the supply chain. Office markets, particularly those where the public sector makes up a sizeable proportion, will be affected by the departmental cuts.
Whist capital growth and total returns continue to moderate, in line with general forecasts, we anticipate overall positive total returns for UK commercial property for 2010. We continue to focus on the proactive asset management of the Ignis UK Property Fund’s income stream and are actively seeking attractive opportunities in which to invest.
Source: IPD Monthly Balanced Property Report - May 10
Property Strategy
• Focus remains on income profile and quality
• Proactive asset management in retaining and enhancing income remains a key component future performance
• Actively looking to acquire selective high quality assets to compliment and enhance the Fund’s existing stock
Recent Fund Activity
Some recent examples of portfolio activity include:-
• 10/12 Orange Street, London WC2 – Lease renewal successfully negotiated on this West End office asset with Shipleys LLP taking a new 10 year lease
• Lease renewals have been successfully completed with Morgan Ashurst plc, Harvey Nash plc and Lloyds TSB Bank at The Waterside Centre on Birmingham Business Park
• 85 Grays Inn Road, London WC1 – Grade A refurbishment completed on 28,000 sq ft of self -contained office accommodation in London’s “Mid Town” http://www.85graysinnroad.com/ *
• A lease regear has been achieved with Technicolor Video Services UK Limited at Valley Park, Rugby, removing the Tenant’s break and extending the term certain to the Fund
• IKEA Limited have been secured as a direct tenant of the Fund at Sagittarius Business Park, Warrington in a transaction which secured a minimum of an additional five years income
• VF Northern Europe Services Limited, trading as The North Face have replaced Miss Sixty as a tenant at Stock Exchange Court, the Fund’s prime holding in Buchanan Street, Glasgow
Summary
The outlook for the Ignis UK Property Fund remains positive and the Fund retains a comfortable level of liquidity. Focus remains on income quality and profile with a number of ongoing asset management initiatives aimed to retain and enhance income streams. The Fund is actively looking to acquire selective high quality assets to compliment and enhance its existing stock.
This information is for professional clients and investment professionals only and should not be relied upon by retail clients.
Past performance is not a guide to the future, the value of units and any income earned from them may fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed.
Property investments are relatively illiquid compared to bonds and equities and can take a significant length of time to trade.