Cross-Border Investment in US Edges Up in Q1

Cross-border investors increased their U.S. acquisitions into 2018, and Chinese investors were the second largest buyer group, the latest US Cross-Border Investment Compendium shows. The GLP buyout by a joint venture of several Chinese investors buttressed China’s position in the first quarter, which comes amidst concern these buyers would retreat because of restrictions on capital outflows.

Canadian investors were the largest investor group in the 12 months through the first quarter of 2018. These investors claimed almost one-third of all cross-border acquisition volume in the U.S. Singaporean investors were the third largest group.

Perennial investor favorite Manhattan was the top target of cross-border buyers in the 12 months through Q1’18, garnering more than $8 billion in cross-border deal volume. Houston, Los Angeles and Washington DC were in the following pack, each claiming approximately $3 billion in sales volume.

Industrial deals involving overseas buyers grew 97% year-over-year for the 12 months through Q1’18. Most of this growth was driven by the GLP buyout. CBD office and apartment were the most sought after property sectors overall.