TORONTO and LONDON, Nov. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Colliers, a leading global diversified professional services company, has released Global Investor Outlook 2026showing that investors are confidently returning to global property markets, seeking to diversify across regions and sectors. Based on Colliers' own research and a global survey of institutional investors, the report says market fundamentals are improving, liquidity is returning and price expectations are normalizing. These trends provide optimism for 2026, even as price pressures and geopolitical risks persist.
“Investors are changing approaches,” said Luke Dawson, Head of Global Capital Markets and Capital Markets EMEA in Colliers. “After a challenging period, capital is moving decisively toward stability and opportunity. Practical, controlled strategies and partnerships add value as the market regains its footing.”
Investors are migrating to active strategies and global diversification
Nearly half of investors (49%) now favor direct investments and separate accounts, while platform joint ventures and M&A deals are gaining momentum. Private equity funds and secondary funds are increasingly investing in both real estate and operating businesses. Moreover, 37% of investors prefer core and core-plus strategies, although only 9% of real estate funds raised target these areas, a sign of a mismatch between investor appetite and fund focus.
“This imbalance is prompting investors to rethink how they interact with the market, choosing structures that offer faster execution, flexibility and scale,” he said. Damian Harrington, Director, Head of Global Capital Markets and EMEA Research in Colliers. “Platform deals give investors a seat at the table and greater control. This is a tactical shift that reflects a more active and nimble approach to capital deployment.”
Global allocations are also evolving, with cross-regional strategies accounting for nearly 30% of global fundraising, underscoring the push for diversification. North America accounted for 40% of fundraising in 2025, up from 50% in 2024, while Europe grew 50% and Asia-Pacific grew 130% year-on-year, reflecting growing interest in markets such as Japan, Australia and India.
Data centers are thriving, offices are coming back
Data centers accounted for 31% of global real estate funds raised between Q1 and Q3 2025, making it the second most popular asset type, displacing industrial assets. Offices that have been in the shadows since the pandemic are rebounding around the world. Alternatives such as student housing, self-storage and healthcare are also gaining traction, fueled by demographic trends and supply-demand imbalances.
“Investor preferences are changing rapidly. With the deep integration of digital infrastructure into our economy, renewed interest in offices following the expansion of return-to-office mandates, and dynamics in demographic-focused sectors, it is clear that capital is chasing both innovation and sustainability,” continued Dawson.
Industrial, multifamily and retail remain resilient
Industrial, multifamily and retail assets continue to attract capital, especially in markets with strong fundamentals and limited supply. Investors are focusing on logistics hubs, urban housing growth corridors and core service-based retail formats.
Reconstruction and repositioning to increase added value
As investors focus on value creation, many are looking to reposition existing assets. High construction and operating costs accelerate adaptive reuse, especially in supply-constrained markets. Office buildings are being retrofitted to meet sustainability standards and growing tenant demand, with Asia Pacific and Europe leading the trend.
“The coming year will reward investors who can combine speed with strategy,” concluded Dawson. “We are seeing a rethinking of how capital is allocated, with tactical execution, platform control and regional rebalancing of drivers. The focus is shifting to value creation, operational impact and long-term sustainability across all sectors and markets.”
Regional features
- United States: Latent capital and attractive valuations are driving renewed activity, especially in multifamily, industrial and data center markets.
- Europe, Middle East and Africa: Europe remains a magnet for global capital, with the office and industrial sectors recovering amid improved liquidity and transparency.
- Asia Pacific: Prospects for sustained growth and increased spending are driving demand for offices, logistics and new alternatives such as data centers and student accommodation.
- Canada: The attractiveness of safe harbors and supply constraints in the multifamily and retail sectors are boosting investor confidence and institutional capital is returning to the market.
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Colliers (NASDAQ, TSX: CIGI) is a global provider of diversified professional services and investment management. Operating through three industry-leading platforms – real estate services, engineering and investment management – we have a proven business model, an entrepreneurial culture and a unique partnership philosophy that drives growth and value creation. For 30 years, Colliers has consistently delivered compounded annual returns to shareholders of approximately 20%, supported by visionary management, significant insider ownership and strong recurring earnings. With $5.5 billion in annual revenue, a team of 24,000 professionals and $108 billion in assets under management, Colliers remains committed to accelerating the success of our clients, investors and people around the world. Find out more at corporate.colliers.comX @Colliers or LinkedIn.
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