Brexit: news and reaction after the result

PrintDownload

Out Europe largeBREXIT: PROPERTY SECTOR REACTION

EG documented news and reaction from the property sector on 24 June – the day the EU referendum result was announced. See below for a timeline of events as they unfolded throughout that day

 

• 5.03pm Argent’s Partridge – no mass exodus of tech occupiers

Argent’s David Partridge has said he does not foresee an exodus of tech occupiers from the UK as a result of the EU referendum result.

• 4.58pm The implications of Brexit for the property sector

It has been a momentous day with Brexit results being revealed. Estates Gazette journalists have spoken to some of the industry’s key figures about the implications for our sector.

• 3.39pm Property prices could be hit by rating downgrades

The prime and London property markets could be left reeling from a downgrade by the major ratings agencies.

• 3.35pm Brexit blues: the experts were right

“People in this country have had enough of experts,” said Michael Gove, one of the leaders of the campaign for Brexit. He was right.

• 2.22pm Brexit: Prime property “will increase in value”

LCP says prime central London property is likely to increase in value after the UK’s decisions to leave the EU.

• 1.40pm: Data: Residential repercussions

When global calamities hit what is the effect on residential property?

• 1.34pm: Research: how does a recession affect the property market in London?

Find out how a recession affects the property market in the capital.

• 1.19pm: Pound devaluation is the UK’s “not so secret weapon”

Currency and stock market movements have been well short of some of the more extreme forecasts and the devaluation of the pound can be the UK’s secret weapon, according to risk management consultancy JC Rathbone.

• 1.02pm: What does leaving mean for the prime market?

The outlook for the London and prime residential markets is far from certain. Housebuilder share prices, particularly those with a London focus, are down by more than 20%, but many are predicting an influx of investment. They are positive about the Pound’s devaluation, which has made overpriced assets in London relatively cheap once again.

• 12.28pm: Caddick: “2008 all over again – what a mess”

Caddick Developments’ director Johnny Caddick has warned of “massive stagnation” in the property sector with the regions most badly affected.

• 12.27pm: Reaction: Cushman’s Wilson & Quidnet’s Tice

• 11:49: Scottish property industry calls for clear political future

The Scottish property industry requires the country to have a clear political future in order to prosper according to the head of the Scottish Property Federation.

•11:23: Time for caution urges SEGRO boss David Sleath

Responding to this morning’s volatility in the markets, where SEGRO’s share price was down 10%, David Sleath said that immediate volatility was unsurprising but his company was optimistic in the medium and long term.

• 11:23: We have been here before in 1992 and 2008. Indeed a sharply lower pound is the UK’s not-so-secret weapon, JC Rathbone

“The FX markets gyrated with every result and comment. At one point, a commentator announced that GBP/USD was 1.4000, when it had already bounced back to 1.4300 in the space of about a minute.

As the night wore on, sterling was steadily marked down and currently trades at 1.3720. Indeed the overnight movements are extraordinary but far short of some of the more extreme forecasts: GBP/USD down nearly 8%, GBP/EUR, at 1.2370, down 5.6%; five-year quarterly swap rates down 40 basis points at 0.56%; gold up 5% in dollar terms and over 12% in sterling terms on flight to safety.”

• 11:18: European markets seem to be in bigger turmoil than UK, one word on everyone’s lips: Contagion

World stock markets have been left reeling by the UK out vote. At the time of writing the FTSE All share was down 5.1%.

• 11:02: Brexit vote “shows London and regions disconnect”

The UK public’s decision to leave the European Union reflects the disconnect between London and the regions, says Jonathan Goldstein, chief executive of Cain Hoy

BBC map landscape

How the UK voted. Source: BBC

•10:47: We have funds allocated to maintain our position and secure investment in the UK says surprised and saddened, HB Reavis

“I am surprised and saddened that the UK has concluded that leaving the EU is best for the country. The short-to-medium term will be challenging as investors do not like uncertainty, but I believe the London commercial market will remain a good investment in the long-term.

“At HB Reavis, we have approached the likely repercussions of a Leave vote from a strategic point of view and therefore allocated funds to maintain our position and secure our investment in the UK.

“We will continue to have a positive outlook on what lies ahead and will carry on with our ambition to grow our business in the UK.” Tomas Jurdak, UK chief executive HB Reavis.

• 10:35: London portfolio will afford us some protection from Brexit, Jonathan Goldstein, Cain Hoy

“The UK public’s decision to leave the European Union reflects the disconnect between London and the regions. “We’ve deliberately and specifically been very London centric with our investments. “I think that come the calm after the storm London will be still seen to be the centre of European financial world and it has all the advantages that we have talked of for many years like time zones and language and legal system so I remain confident in London’s future, not withstanding, as Michael Gove himself has said, bumps in the road until we get there,” Jonathan Goldstein, chief executive of Cain Hoy.

• 10:31: Disappointing for UK retail and those encouraging European retailers into UK, BCSC

“This result will clearly be disappointing for many people in the UK retail and retail property sector, leading to further uncertainty in the market and in the minds of consumers – when what we should be doing is encouraging more international and European investors and retailers into the UK. “But change won’t happen overnight. The prospects for the wider economy and consumer confidence will now depend in part on negotiations over the UK’s new status. “We hope those negotiations happen quickly and effectively to create the right conditions for the retail sector to continue to deliver employment opportunities and invest in UK towns and cities, contributing to local economies and communities.” Edward Cooke, acting chief executive at BCSC 

• 10:27: Scotland agents issue cautious comment on the future post Brexit

“It is difficult therefore to see how this vote for the UK to leave the European Union and the uncertainties this will create will turn the fortunes of the Scottish property market around for the remainder of 2016.

“However, now the vote is out the way some projects will move forward. The best we can hope for is that the fall in value for Sterling against the Euro and the dollar will attract more inward investment and that Scottish entrepreneurialism will come to the fore and look for ways to take advantage of the opportunities and challenges ahead.”David Davidson, chairman of Cushman & Wakefield in Scotland.

• 10:19: Logistics market reliant on pan-European trade to slow dramatically in Q3 and Q4. Andrew Toy, regional research team leader, EGi

“This is a leap into the darkness making long distance predictions challenging. Somewhat inevitably the industrial and logistics market, so reliant on pan-European trade, will be hit hard with take-up predicted to slow dramatically in Q3 and likely into Q4 and beyond as the market comes to terms with what has happened. It could be well into 2017 before things show sign of recovery at which point our future international economic trade details become clearer.

“Having been the flagship sector in the UK in a burgeoning market of late, one thing we can be sure of is that the industrial sector is set for some particularly challenging and turbulent times ahead.

“Deals markets have slowed in recent months as buyers, letters and investors awaited the big day and that bottleneck of deals was expected to release during Q3 upon the outcome of the much-anticipated and heavily backed remain vote. From an industrial perspective, if we look at the number of deals and volume of sqft transacted nationwide in Q3 over the past few years we see a steady flow of between 30m-35m sq ft and approx. 2,500-3,000 deals (see below).”

Andrew Toy, EGi

deals industrial  industrial sq ft

•10:11: Diversified portfolio vital, Mahbod Nia, Northstar Realty Europe

“Ultimately, we believe the long term prospects for the UK and the rest of Europe are positive, but the UK market is likely to enter a period of uncertainty and illiquidity in the near term which could also create compelling investment opportunities.

“For investors, a diversified portfolio will be vital. Market disruption often results in a flight to quality and as such investors are likely to continue to be drawn to prime office assets in major European cities including London.” Mahbod Nia, Northstar Realty Europe

• 10:00: Britain is over its Stockholm syndrome, Pippa Malmgrem, a leading investor advisor and former economic advisor to George W Bush

The Brexit vote is “a wake-up call no anyone who is not privileged” according to a leading investor advisor who has dubbed it the start of a global anti-establishment movement.

• 09:53: Momentous day in politics, Nick Leslau, Prestbury

Leave supporter and chairman of Prestbury, Nick Leslau has said hailed a “momentous day” in politics. Leslau says that despite this morning’s turbulence that “UK real estate has throughout history been a fundamental part of our investment landscape and that simply won’t change”.

• 09:44: Brexit makes no difference, Andrew Perloff, Panther Securities

Britain leaving the European Union “doesn’t’ make much difference” to the UK property market according to Andrew Perloff, chief executive of Panther Securities and long-time UKIP supporter.

Perloff said that he there was “inevitably going to be considerable volatility because so many people had assumed a remain win was likely” following the FTSE 250 opening more than 11% down and the pound at record lows against the dollar.

• 09:17: Bank of England: We are well prepared

“British Bank of England governor Mark Carney has issued a statement saying there is up to £250bn of additional funds to support the financial markets.

“But we are well prepared for this. The Treasury and the Bank of England have engaged in extensive contingency planning and the Chancellor and I have been in close contact, including through the night and this morning,” he said.

“The Bank will not hesitate to take additional measures as required as those markets adjust and the UK economy moves forward. These adjustments will be supported by a resilient UK financial system – one that the Bank of England has consistently strengthened over the last seven years.”

• 09:11: British Land issue statement as property shares are smashed

“British Land is a resilient business positioned for a range of economic conditions, including the uncertainty that is likely to be created by the UK’s decision to leave the EU: our portfolio is modern and nearly fully let to quality occupiers on long leases; our finances are strong with moderate LTV, low costs and long dated financing from a wide range of sources; our current development commitments are modest and we have optionality in our future development pipeline.” British Land

• 09:05 Property law not heavily influenced by EU legislation. Lawyers react to Brexit

“Britain’s decision to leave the EU is monumental. However, property law is not heavily influenced by EU legislation and, therefore, Brexit will be a market issue, rather than a strictly legal one,”Rob Thompson, head of real estate London at Irwin Mitchell.

• 08:56:Considerable strain on real estate markets in next 12-24months, long term: neutral, Alan Tripp, LaSalle Investment Management

“Earlier today, we learned the result of the UK referendum, with the British electorate voting to leave the European Union. This is likely to be followed by a period of uncertainty in the financial community. “Whilst we view the long term impact of Brexit as being broadly neutral we expect markets to overreact in the short term. Early capital market signals seem to indicate that this may well be the case and real estate performance objectives may now come under considerable strain in the next 12 to 24 months.” Alan Tripp, Head of UK, LaSalle Investment Management

• 08:50: We have £250bn to spend to support the Sterling, Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England

• 08:45: Housebuilders share prices as of 0845 GMT via Google Finance

housebuilders

• 08:45 Property shares smashed 

“Property shares were smashed in early trading this morning following the leave result of the European Union referendum. The FTSE 250 saw an initial 11.4% drop this and after falls of more than 30% were experienced at the outset amongst the largest companies in the commercial property sector but there has since been a relative recovery, more closely in line with the market.”

• 08:35: Could this solve the housing crisis overnight? – Alex Peace, EG‘s residential reporter

“Solving the housing crisis overnight Migration: 1.2m British live in the EU, 3.3m EU citizens live in the UK.  If we swap, that’s 2.1m spare rooms – more than enough to address the shortage of 1m homes in the UK.”

• 08:35: 10m sq ft of finance sector in Central London subject to lease break/expiry by 2021,  Graham Shone, data analyst EGi

“The vote to leave the EU may well prove to be a sticking point for financial firms occupying large offices in the UK. Details of new trade agreements will of course be critical to give them the full picture before making location-based decisions – and it might still be a little while before we know what exactly those are.

“Our figures indicate that just shy of 10 million SQ FT of floorspace occupied by the finance sector in Central London is the subject of either a lease break or a lease expiry before 2021 – over 20% of the total financial footprint in the capital [AS OF Q1 2016]. Over the medium term post-Brexit, the worry for London’s office market would be that a significant proportion of those occupiers look to undertake partial or wholesale moves – particularly those with a significant client base in the Eurozone.” Graham Shone, data analyst EGi

• 08:28 David Cameron announces he will step down by the time of the Tory party conference

• 08:23 This is an anti-establishment vote..British property could be more attractive, Pippa Malmgrem, former economic adviser to George W Bush

“I’ve been pro-Brexit for 18 months or so and called for a landslide in the voting results. This is an anti-establishment vote and that’s why “The Establishment” doesn’t “get it”. The fall in Sterling will make British properties even more attractive.

Far from weakening the economy,  lower Sterling will boost British exports and British equities. Britain can mess this up by closing off immigration or by raising taxes, but there is no need for either.” Pippa Malmgrem, former economic adviser to George W Bush

• 08:20 Business need to ensure they are set up to navigate the immediate risks, David Sproul, chief executive of Deloitte UK

“While the UK has opted for a future outside the EU, Britain remains a competitive, innovative and highly-skilled economy and an attractive place for business.

“However, as indicated by today’s market volatility we are likely to see a period of uncertainty.  Businesses need to ensure they are set up to navigate the immediate risks and impacts of an exit, and have the processes and people in place to manage a period of upheaval.

“From the result of the referendum is that the value of the pound will inevitably fall in the near-term, as will the stock market.” said David Sproul, chief executive of Deloitte UK.

• 08:17 London stock markets open. Property share prices show huge drops

• 08:17 London stock markets open. Segro share price, Source: Google Finance

segro

• 08:10 London stock markets open. Barratt share price, Source: Google Finance

barratt

• 08:15 London stock markets open. British Land share price, Source: Google Finance

british land

• 08:10 London stock markets open. Land Sec share price, Source: Google Finance

land sec

• 08:10 Chances of technical recession high, James Roberts Knight Frank

“One of the first outcomes from the result of the referendum is that the value of the pound will inevitably fall in the near-term, as will the stock market. “The chances of a technical recession, as business investment is curtailed, is high, and exporters and financial services firms will be in the forefront of the downturn.” James Roberts, of Knight Frank

• 08:08 German residential to benefit JP Morgan Cazenove:

“On the defensive side, German residential will likely be well bid, led by Vonovia due to liquidity, and dividend/income plays such as LondonMetric, SEGRO should be supported. On the retail plays, dividend yields and continental exposure of intu and Hammerson must be balanced against concerns over the near term economic outlook.”

• 08:03 Property will test the February lows today JP Morgan Cazenove:

“We see most downside risk in London office facing stocks, Derwent London, Great Portland, Workspace and Helical Bar with Land Securities and British Land used by larger investors to express the vote outcome due to liquidity.”

• 07:55 Mike Sales: Fund managers begin chaotic day

“Fund managers in the UK have begun a chaotic day ahead, updating investors and starting an adaption to life outside the European Union. Mike Sales, global co-head of TH Real Estate, the $26bn property manager, said that he was “slightly shocked” but that the company had been preparing for the eventuality and it had “identified work streams or areas such as valuation, product regulation, tax and operations among other areas to work through the various issues and consequences”.

• 07:45 Mike Ingall: Regional cities could benefit

“Regional cities could benefit if London’s position is affected on the global stage. “I think the key will actually probably be what happens in London and the speed at which London remains affected in its position in the world,” he said.markets are yet to open but early forecasts suggest the FTSE will open almost 8% lower whilst the pound has dropped by more than 10% to a 31-year low.” Mike Ingall, Allied London.

• 07:36 Hometrack: London housing volumes could drop by 20%

“The decision to leave the EU will be most keenly felt in the London housing market which is fully valued and already facing headwinds. History shows that external shocks can reduce sales volumes by as much as 20% with sales volumes already down over the last year.

The additional downside risks are how much of an economic downturn we see and whether mortgage rates end up rising which could turn a major slowdown in activity into something more severe” Richard Donnell, Hometrack

• 07:30 JLL: Housing transactions to drop 10-15%

“We expect an immediate slowdown in housing market transactions, in the order of 10%-15%, resulting in downward pressure on prices for at least a couple of years. We anticipate current activity levels will return but this is unlikely before late in 2018.” Adam Challlis, JLL 

• 07:15 Time for Plan B says EG editor Damian Wild

“The result of the referendum was not the one wanted by the majority of those in this industry I have spoken to in recent weeks. But the decision is already history; the most important thing now is move on quickly. After all the turnout was reassuringly high, the result more emphatic than most expected. It’s too important for Remainers to mourn, to blame, to wallow”

• 06:00 Property reeling after Brexit

“Stock markets are yet to open but early forecasts suggest the FTSE will open almost 8% lower whilst the pound has dropped by more than 10% to a 31-year low.”

 • Investors to debate at post-referendum Question Time

Following the UK’s decision to leave the EU, international investors prepare to debate questions from the industry on how the vote has affected their investment decisions.

EU-referendum-2016-graphic
Graphic courtesy of Square One Law. Click on the image to visit the site

Back to top