Citigroup Warns European Commercial Real Estate Values Will Plummet 40%, But Sees Medium-Term Opportunity

Published: May 17, 2023 17:39 (GMT+8)
This week's plunge in shares of Swedish real estate giant Samhallsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB (SBB) may be just the beginning of Europe's commercial real estate crisis, as central banks’ interest rate hikes push up financing costs and investor concerns about developers' prospects intensify.

This week's plunge in shares of Swedish real estate giant Samhallsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB (SBB) may be just the beginning of Europe's commercial real estate crisis, as central banks’ interest rate hikes push up financing costs and investor concerns about developers' prospects intensify.

After S&P downgraded its credit rating to junk status on Monday due to concerns about liquidity, SBB fell nearly 20% in one day. It closed down more than 24% on Tuesday and fell further on Wednesday, closing down nearly 7.3%, falling to a nearly six-year low. Shares were down nearly 44% in the first three days of the week, before Thursday's big rebound. As of Thursday, the market value had shrunk from more than $17 billion at the end of 2021 to less than $1 billion.

Affected by the sharp drop in SBB, the real estate sector of the STOXX Europe 600 Index also fell for consecutive days.

Citigroup analyst Aaron Guy estimates that the value of commercial real estate assets in Western Europe could plummet by as much as 40%, which could lead real estate companies to violate the terms of real estate contracts.

Guy believes that the risk of housing contracts, and the situation of real estate companies seeking to refinance to reduce low-to-value (LTV) ratios, will require a "significant re-securitization" of the housing sector. This means that the stock has downside room in the short term, but perhaps presents an opportunity in the medium term.

More popular news:

Global Key Base Metals Face Supply Glut, Severe Oversupply for Aluminium, But There Is a Global Copper Shortage

BHP Says China's Real Estate Recovery Will Boost Metals Demand

Trafigura Sees Copper Prices Rising to All-Time High on China Economic Rebound and Supply Shortages

The Ban will Not Stop Exports of Key Raw Minerals Copper, Zinc, Iron Ore from Indonesia, But Bauxite Shipments will Stop in June

G7 to Expand Sanctions Covering Metals on Russia, Promises Further Support for Ukraine

A Bull Gold Market Has Just Begun 

SMM Daily Comments (May 24): LME Base Metals Closed with Losses, All Ferrous Metals Dropped with Iron Ore Plunging, Oil Gained Ground as Goldman Sachs Sees Stubborn Shortage from June

BofA Sharply Lowers Forecast for Oil Price, Global Oil Consumption in 2023

SMM Daily Comments (May 16): Most Base Metals Prices Closed with Losses, SHFE Nickel, Stainless Steel Plunge, Oil Gained on G7 New Measures, US Strategic Petroleum Reserve Replenishment and Supply Concerns

SMM Daily Comments (May 30): Base Metals Mostly Fell, SHFE Tin Bucked the Trend to Soar, Dollar Surged to New High, Oil Fell As Likely Fed Rate Hike Counteracts Debt Ceiling Agreement

Rio Tinto Warns of Risks for Paying High Premiums for Lithium Mines after Plunging Lithium Prices Triggered Acquisition Rush

Copper Shortage Is Irreparable Even after Biggest Mergers and Acquisitions, Here’s Why

Global Aluminium Inventory to Plunge Further amid Supply Headwinds, LME Aluminium Prices to React Fast

Testing Agency Responds to Great Wall Motor Report on BYD to Chinese Authorities

BYD Denies Rumours after Being Reported to Chinese Authorities, Two Top China Automakers Escalate War

High Lithium Ore Prices in Australia will Drive Lithium Prices Rebound, Reasons Prevent Output to Grow

Goldman Sachs Warns of Serious Risks US Dollar Will Lose Reserve Currency Status on Debt Ceiling Standoff

Goldman Sachs Lowers Price Forecast for Aluminium, Copper in 2023, Sees Nickel Price Plunging

'Bond King' Jeffrey Gundlach Says Sharp Fed Rate Cuts By Year-End Will Push Up Gold Prices

Zinc Prices to Plunge by 2025, Here's Why

World Bank: Global Commodity Prices to Plunge Precipitously This Year at Fastest Speed since Covid Outbreak

Citigroup Warns European Commercial Real Estate Values Will Plummet 40%, But Sees Medium-Term Opportunity

UBS Raises China GDP Growth Forecast, Sees Earnings from China Stock Market Soaring, RMB Appreciating

Sharp Output Cuts Led to Lithium Ore Shortages, High Import Prices Drove Lithium Salt Producers to Shut Down

US Treasury Bill Rates Soar to Record High on Debt Ceiling Jitters

SMM Daily Comments (May 19): LME Metals Rose across the Board, All Ferrous Metals Dropped with Coking Coal Plunging




Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
Peru sees 1 million t/y copper output boost within five to six years
15 hours ago
Peru sees 1 million t/y copper output boost within five to six years
Read More
Peru sees 1 million t/y copper output boost within five to six years
Peru sees 1 million t/y copper output boost within five to six years
Peru's Energy and Mines Minister Guillermo Shinno said the country expects to add about 1 million tonnes of annual copper production within five to six years through new mining projects. The world's third-largest copper producer anticipates 2026 output of 2.5 to 2.7 million tonnes, roughly unchanged from 2023 as declining ore grades and recurring social conflicts weigh on supply. The newly elected government is seeking to reverse that stagnation by cutting red tape; in the two months since taking office, mining companies have stepped up engagement with the ministry. Shinno said officials have identified 27 permits that could be eliminated from roughly 100 mining-sector requirements, without lowering environmenta
15 hours ago
India copper producers seek GST cut as record prices raise working-capital burden
20 hours ago
India copper producers seek GST cut as record prices raise working-capital burden
Read More
India copper producers seek GST cut as record prices raise working-capital burden
India copper producers seek GST cut as record prices raise working-capital burden
Indian copper producers are seeking a GST cut to 5% from 18%, citing rising working-capital requirements amid record-high copper prices.
20 hours ago
Sulphuric Acid Shortage Emerges as a Constraint on Zambia’s Copper Growth
Sep 25, 2026 16:43 (GMT+8)
Sulphuric Acid Shortage Emerges as a Constraint on Zambia’s Copper Growth
Read More
Sulphuric Acid Shortage Emerges as a Constraint on Zambia’s Copper Growth
Sulphuric Acid Shortage Emerges as a Constraint on Zambia’s Copper Growth
Zambia’s sulphuric acid shortage is becoming a growing constraint on copper production and refining. Jubilee Metals reported acid costs rising by more than 200% in Q4 FY2026, while Sable cathode output fell to 250 t from 361 t in Q3. Government data also showed small-scale copper production down 35.2% YoY in H1 2026, highlighting the sector’s exposure to tight acid availability and higher processing costs.
Sep 25, 2026 16:43 (GMT+8)