Italian market offers growth opportunities: JLL

Italian real-estate investment has the potential to be a platform for growth in the medium term despite ongoing financial concerns across the Eurozone region, according to Jones Lang LaSalle research.

Robert Stassen, head of EMEA capital markets research at Jones Lang LaSalle commented: 'Italian real estate investment has been flat since 2007, with average quarterly investment volumes of EUR 1 bn per quarter. There is the potential for considerable upside in 2012 and beyond as investors reconsider the next opportunity as country risk subsides. We may also see more international investment move into Italy as the Eurozone crisis calms down.'

Patrick Parkinson, managing director and head of Capital Markets Italy, said: 'Whilst Italian government bond yields have hit peaks similar to that of Greece and Portugal, prime yields on Italian real estate remain strong and are 100 basis points higher than yields on similar French and Swedish property. Whilst investors are right to feel cautious, we expect more to dip their toe into the water and embrace these opportunities.'

Consumer spending may be weak, but Italy’s citizens are some of the richest in the world with the average value of net assets eight times disposable income. Combined government and household debt is 170%, compared to 240% for the UK.

Stassen added: 'We have also seen strong numbers from shopping centre REITS with assets in Italy. In addition, major shopping centre developers such as Westfield and Eurocommercial are investing in Italian cities such as Milan and Turin. With this backdrop, we expect more newcomers to take a closer look at the region in the next few months, possibly as a counterbalance to a liquid Paris market and falling volumes in Spain.'