LONDON, Sept 27 (Reuters) - London's embattled office market is in 'rental recession' as volumes of empty space across the capital's West End, City and Canary Wharf business districts hit a 30-year high, analysts at Jefferies said on Wednesday.
Utilisation has shrunk and landlords are losing pricing power as tenants offload surplus space," the analysts said.
Jefferies estimated West End vacancies of 7%, with rates in the City and Canary Wharf at 10% and more than 20% respectively, with the tipping point for a rental recession historically around 8%.
Long-term Canary Wharf resident HSBC (HSBA.L) recently announced it would be relocating to the City but is expected to lease 30% less space at its new home, according to the note.
"Investment market liquidity is receding on rent uncertainty and squeezing developer profits," the note said.
Persons:
Jefferies, Derwent, Segro, Morgan Stanley, Sinead Cruise, Iain Withers
Organizations:
Securities, Portland Estates, Royal, Barclays, JPMorgan, HSBC, Investment, Thomson
Locations:
City, Canary Wharf, London, Canary, Wharf