Colliers – Corporate Capital Outlook, 1Q 2024

Between 2024 and 2026, over €3.0 trillion of corporate and public debt is maturing, leading some companies to explore options like sale and leasebacks to reduce their burden. The European bond market has seen strong debt issuances at the start of the year, but there has been an increase in corporate defaults, with speculative-grade default rates expected to stabilize at 3.50% by December 2024. M&A activity has rebounded after a lackluster 2023, fueled by strong earnings and positive market sentiment. Companies are reassessing their real estate portfolios to find ways to generate funds for debt payments, M&A activity, and core business investments. The latest report features insights from Marvin Arras of Colliers on the resurgence of M&A activity and Henry Giles of ESR Group on the importance of partnerships in industrial net lease transactions.