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British Real Estate company Land Securities adapts strategy with asset sell-off

Land Securities recently announced that due to a shift in its financial situation, it is expected to sell more assets than it will acquire. This decision comes after the British real estate company experienced a loss for the year, mainly influenced by the increased interest rates and overall economic challenges, which have negatively impacted the value of its properties.

The British commercial property sector, which heavily relies on borrowing, has faced setbacks in its gradual rebound from the lows caused by the pandemic. The sector’s recovery has been hindered by rising interest rates and growing concerns about the macroeconomic environment. Additionally, Land Securities’ office space portfolio has encountered difficulties as a result of changing work patterns.

The company listed on the FTSE 100 stated that it anticipates a modest increase of rental values, ranging from low to mid-single digits, in London and significant retail locations during the current financial year.

The property sector in the UK continues to face challenges following the mini budget implemented in September, which caused a sharp decline in government bonds and resulted in elevated borrowing expenses. Moreover, recent banking turbulence in the United States and the Credit Suisse crisis have contributed to more stringent lending conditions globally.

Landsec, a company with a diverse portfolio consisting of office, retail, leisure, workspace, and residential assets worth £10.2 billion ($12.87 billion), reported a loss before tax of £622 million for the fiscal year ending on March 31. This is in stark contrast to the profit of £875 million achieved in the previous year.

The company, primarily focused on office space, also disclosed a decline of approximately 12% in its EPRA net tangible assets. This key metric, used to assess the value of Landsec’s buildings, dropped to 936 pence per share.

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