International buyers are increasing their investment activity in U.S. net-lease properties, especially in larger gateway markets such as New York, Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The global search for yield and portfolio diversification is driving more foreign capital to this market, according to research from CBRE.

“Foreign investors’ appetite for U.S. net-lease properties has increased more than any other investor group, adding nearly $21 billion to their holdings since 2014. This is further evidence that global capital flows prioritize the risk-adjusted returns of the net-lease sector and will continue to invest in the asset class,” says Will Pike, vice chairman of net-lease properties at CBRE Capital Markets.

During the first quarter 2019, foreign investment in net-lease office, industrial and retail properties totaled $1.9 billion, up 6.6 percent from the year-ago period. CBRE notes foreign investors accounted for 15.1 percent of the total net-lease t