CapitaLand Investment is not the only real estate investment manager (REIM) grappling with challenges. Other Asia-based REIMs, such as GLP Capital Partners and ESR Group, have faced comparable operational difficulties.
During CapitaLand Investment’s Investor Day on Nov 22, 2024, the group’s CEO, Lee Chee Koon, outlined the difficulties the company had encountered in recent years. He pointed to two key factors impacting CapitaLand Investment: the sharp rise in interest rates and developments in China. The swift increase in interest rates has had a dual effect, impacting both operating income and valuations, as capitalisation rates tend to rise in line with interest rate trends.
”When we restructured [in 2021], we were hoping China would allow us to create more private funds in the logistics and business park space and asset classes at which we were strong. What has happened made it a lot more challenging to execute that [plan]. The balance sheet we inherited from CapitaLand had benefitted from the growth in China. Because of the slowdown, there are balance sheet challenges we need to deal with,” Lee said.
