Record corporate asset sales in EMEA indicate strong trend toward capital raising and portfolio optimization through sale and leasebacks

Despite the downturn in economic activity throughout 2020, corporate real estate asset sales in EMEA surpassed 2019 volumes to reach €27 billion ($32 billion), according to JLL’s latest report Raising Capital from Corporate Real Estate.

The increased need for capital preservation and liquidity as well as the need to deliver portfolio flexibility, led companies to consider sale and leasebacks as a way to support post-pandemic recovery and growth strategies.

Last year’s record level of disposals is particularly noteworthy given the context of the global pandemic. 2020 was