NAPF report outlines the case for secondary property
20 May 2014
Secondary property as an asset class is attracting more attention as a potential investment opportunity, according to a report published by the National Association of Pension Funds today (Tuesday) at the NAPF Local Authority conference 2014 in the Cotswolds.
This is the latest in the series of Investment Insight reports and looks at the relatively neglected secondary property market – which can be defined as UK commercial property not deemed to be top end prime property – and looks at why pension funds might consider investing in it. It considers valuations, the asset characteristics and what trustees should consider before investing in this asset class.
Helen Roberts, Policy Lead: Investment, NAPF, said: “The flight to safety in recent years has led to substantial investment in UK high quality prime real estate assets, principally in London. Investors have, up to now, eschewed lower quality secondary properties but the tide is now turning with potential opportunities opening up for pension schemes to invest.
“The reasons for looking at secondary property now include the historically large gap in yields between prime property and secondary property, an increased appetite for more illiquid assets against a backdrop of an improving economy and the forced selling, primarily by banks, currently seen in the market.”
The NAPF’s Investment Insight series is designed to provide information on new assets, strategies and regulation that impact pension schemes’ investment choices. Themes are chosen in conjunction with our members and are aimed to help members with their investment decisions.
The Investment Insight: Secondary property – potential investment opportunity? report is available on the NAPF website here.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The NAPF is the leading voice of workplace pensions in the UK. We speak for 1,300 pension schemes with some 16 million members and assets of around £900 billion. NAPF members also include over 400 businesses providing essential services to the pensions sector.
Contacts:
Lucy Grubb, Head of Media and PR, NAPF, 020 7601 1726 or 07713 073023, [email protected]
Eleanor Bennett, Press Officer, NAPF, 020 7601 1718 or 07825 171 446, [email protected]