Skip to content
Second strongest Nordic deal volume ever in 2022 despite 31% decline

Press release -

Second strongest Nordic deal volume ever in 2022 despite 31% decline

After a groundbreaking record 2021 with a transaction volume of more than EUR 71 billion, we look behind at a far more modest 2022 and a decrease by 31 percent. However, despite the large decline in 2022, the volume stands at a strong EUR 49 billion which is the second best in history, according to Nordic property advisor Colliers.

Mikael Söderlundh, Head of Research Colliers Nordics & Partner: “Compared to the incredibly strong 2021, we’re now facing a more restrained market. While the number of deals has decreased by 13 percent to approximately 1250, the average deal size has reduced even more from EUR 53 million to EUR 39 million.”

Volume decreases in all Nordic countries except Finland
All Nordic countries, except Finland, are facing a downturn in transaction volume. Sweden, being the largest market in the region, is down 42 percent, Norway is down 35 percent and Denmark is down 18 percent. In Finland, being the only country not facing a negative development, the volume is up four percent compared to 2021.

Mikael Söderlundh: “2022 started strongly with a record volume of EUR 30 billion during the first half of the year, but then volumes declined 34 percent during the second half. The cooldown is partly fueled by higher interest rates and a gloomier overall economy. In total, the listed property sector is down 45 percent YTD 2022.”

From net buyers to net sellers
A big change from 2021 is that the listed property companies have gone from net buyers to net sellers. Last year the listed companies accounted for 49 percent of all acquisitions in Sweden and 27 percent in the Nordics. This year, the equivalent figures are 16 and 8 percent respectively.

Bård Bjølgerud, CEO Colliers Nordics & Partner: “The listed sector is currently valued at an almost 40 percent discount to book NAV, making it difficult for the companies to be active on the buy-side. Instead, we have seen property sales and equity issues to handle a tougher financing climate and credit rating requirements. “

Continued Nordic interest for foreign investors
Foreign investors continue to be net buyers, accounting for 39 percent of all acquisitions and 21 percent of all sales in the Nordics. This means net purchases of EUR 8.6 billion in 2022, which is the seventh consecutive year of positive capital inflow to the Nordics. In Denmark and Finland, the share of foreign buyers is 64 percent and 49 percent respectively.

Transaction volume 2022

Sweden

Norway

Finland

Denmark

Nordics

Transaction volume (EURbn)

19.3

10.4

8.0

11.4

49.2

- Change compared to 2021

-42%

-35%

4%

-18%

-31%

Number of deals

380

380

210

280

1,250

- Change compared to 2021

-26%

-8%

-27%

21%

-13%

Average deal size (EURm)

51

27

38

41

39

Foreign buyers

32%

16%

49%

64%

39%

Foreign sellers

17%

16%

28%

28%

21%

Based on property transactions above EUR 5 million.

Residentials continues to be the largest segment
Despite a slowdown, residentials continues to be the largest segment, accounting for 28 percent of the total volume, followed by logistics accounting for 19 percent. Public properties and offices both accounts for 17 percent each of the volume. Retail has seen an upswing and increased from 9 to 13 percent, driven by some large sales of grocery store portfolios and well-known department stores in central Helsinki and Copenhagen.

The five largest property transactions in the Nordic region in 2022 are:

  1. Brookfield acquiring 49% of an education portfolio in the Nordics from SBB (EUR ~2.1bn)1
  2. Allianz acquiring 56% of a residential portfolio in Sweden from Heimstaden Bostad (EUR ~1.6bn)
  3. Kåpan acquiring the remaining 50% of Svenska Myndighetsbyggnader from SBB (EUR ~0.8bn)
  4. Orange Capital Partners acquiring a residential portfolio in Denmark from NREP (EUR ~0.7bn)
  5. Stenhus Fastigheter acquiring Swedish listed property company Randviken (EUR ~0.7bn)2

1Based on SEK 44.9bn property value plus 50 percent earn-out
2Based on reported property value
in Q1 2022

Bård Bjølgerud: “Looking ahead, we expect a challenging first half of 2023, but gradually improving and stabilizing property markets by end 2023. When entering a higher interest rate environment, the market will naturally transform and we expect to see new investors and interesting deal opportunities, including both asset and corporate transactions.”

Attachments
• Chart: Nordic transaction volumes, 2008-2022
• Chart: Nordic transaction volume split by geography and sectors, 2022
• Chart: Share of foreign buyers in the Nordic countries, 2022
• Chart: Share of listed property companies on the buy-side and sell-side, 2022
• Photos

Lovisa Edström, Head of Marketing & Communications
+46 323 27 96, lovisa.edstrom@colliers.com

Mikael Söderlundh, Head of Research Colliers Nordics & Partner
+46 73 770 77 90, mikael.soderlundh@colliers.com

Bård Bjølgerud, CEO Colliers Nordics & Partner
+47 484 08 080, bard.bjolgerud@colliers.com

Topics

Regions


About Colliers Nordics

Colliers is a leading global real estate advisory firm with an enterprising culture. Our Nordic team consists of more than 250 professionals within the advisory business, whereas +80 Capital Markets experts. Colliers is the market leader in the region, with over 27% of market activity based on a full-year 2021 RCA data. Colliers experts offer qualified knowledge within Capital Markets, Debt Advisory, Project Finance, Leasing, Occupier Services, Valuation, and Research. With offices in all Nordic countries and a strong Nordic cooperation, we create effective solutions to create value for all our clients, both locally and cross borders.

For the latest news from Colliers Sverige, visit colliers.se or follow us on LinkedIn.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Colliers International Group

Colliers is a leading diversified professional services and investment management company. With operations in 63 countries, our 18,000 enterprising professionals work collaboratively to provide expert real estate and investment advice to clients. For more than 27 years, our experienced leadership with significant inside ownership has delivered compound annual investment returns of approximately 20% for shareholders. With annual revenues of $4.6 billion and $92 billion of assets under management, Colliers maximizes the potential of property and real assets to accelerate the success of our clients, our investors and our people. Learn more at corporate.colliers.com, Twitter @Colliers or LinkedIn.Learn more at www.colliers.se

Contacts

Bård Bjølgerud

Bård Bjølgerud

CEO & Partner Nordics +47 484 080 80
Mikael Söderlundh

Mikael Söderlundh

Head of Research & Partner Nordics +46 73 770 77 90

Accelerating success.

Colliers Nordics
Our pan Nordic team consists of more than 250 professionals in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland within the advisory business. Colliers is the market leader in the region, with over 16% of market activity based on 2018 - full year 2023. Colliers experts offer qualified knowledge within Capital Markets, Debt Advisory, Project Finance, Leasing, Valuations, Research and Occupier Services. With offices in all Nordic countries and a strong Nordic cooperation, we create effective solutions to create value for all our clients, both locally and cross borders.

About Colliers
Colliers is a leading diversified professional services and investment management company. With operations in 68 countries, our 19,000 enterprising professionals work collaboratively to provide expert real estate and investment advice to clients. For more than 29 years, our experienced leadership with significant inside ownership has delivered compound annual investment returns of approximately 20% for shareholders. With annual revenues of $4.3 billion and $96 billion of assets under management, Colliers maximizes the potential of property and real assets to accelerate the success of our clients, our investors and our people. Learn more at corporate.colliers.com, X @Colliers or LinkedIn.

Colliers

Norrlandsgatan 15
109 95 Stockholm
Sverige