Global rush for real assets: Why India holds the winning hand
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com .)
There are moments in the global markets when the signals become too significant to ignore. For India, this appears to be one of those times.Now the world's fourth-largest economy, India is on track to become the third largest by 2029. This growth has been fuelled by strong domestic consumption, which made up 57% of GDP in 2024, and a demographic dividend that continues to deepen. Household incomes have risen by 7.8% annually over the past decade, with projections suggesting an acceleration to 9.1% over the next 10 years. These trends point to greater spending power and rising aspirations, both of which support demand for high-quality real estate.India's working-age population is also expanding, and its labour force is becoming more educated and digitally capable.This is attracting both local companies and multinationals, many of which are establishing global capability centres that are evolving into innovation hubs. As a result, demand for commercial real estate is growing steadily in cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and Hyderabad.While many global office markets are still adjusting to post-pandemic dynamics, India's commercial real estate sector has shown resilience. Office rental yields in major cities have averaged 8.7%, among the highest globally. In 2024, the country's office rent growth hit a 14-year high and saw record levels of net absorption.International capital is responding to these signals. Japanese institutional interest in India has grown, as seen in Hines ' trophy office joint ventures involving firms like Mitsubishi Estate, Sumitomo Corp and Daibiru.India's living sector is also evolving. Urbanisation, rising incomes, and changing household preferences have driven demand for larger, higher-quality homes with better amenities. In parallel, the industrial sector is seeing momentum from growing domestic consumption, rapid ecommerce expansion, and the "Made in India" initiative, particularly in local tech manufacturing.Ecommerce has accounted for around 9% of retail sales in India and is forecast to grow at about twice the rate of offline retail. Beyond supply chain reconfiguration, domestic manufacturing is emerging as a structural growth engine.These shifts are unfolding against a backdrop of powerful underlying forces - deglobalisation, demographic pressure, energy insecurity, and political bifurcation - that have been building over time like tectonic shifts.As these forces surface, the global landscape is transforming, becoming more fragmented and localised. India, with its scale, stability, and domestic growth engine, may be well positioned within this new paradigm.That said, real estate remains a local business. In India, regulatory frameworks, land acquisition processes, and development timelines can vary widely. Success often depends on strong local partnerships and the ability to manage projects from the ground up.The author is Managing Partner & Global CIO at Hines. He will be speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum in New Delhi.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
U.S. Dollar rate, Bitcoin price crash: Experts make big prediction for currency markets
Currency markets had been in a holding pattern earlier as expectation grew that a moderate reading on U.S. price pressures could cement bets for a Fed rate reduction next month, which increased after last week's soft payrolls data. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs U.S. dollar fell across the board on Tuesday after data showed that U.S. consumer prices increased moderately in July, leaving intact the case for a Federal Reserve interest-rate cut next month. Cryptocurrency bitcoin was about flat around $119,295, after climbing as high as $122,308.25 on Monday, taking it close to the all-time peak of $123,153.22 from consumer price index rose 0.2 per cent last month after gaining 0.3 per cent in June, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Tuesday. In the 12 months through July, the CPI advanced 2.7 per cent after rising 2.7 per cent in June. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the CPI rising 0.2 per cent and increasing 2.8 per cent markets had been in a holding pattern earlier as expectation grew that a moderate reading on U.S. price pressures could cement bets for a Fed rate reduction next month, which increased after last week's soft payrolls euro erased earlier losses against the buck to trade up 0.4 per cent at $1.16663. The greenback fell 0.3 per cent against the Japanese yen to trade at 147.74 told CNBC that he would accept the job "if we can protect the value of the dollar ... that'll give us lower interest rates over time; if we aim for low and stable inflation, (and) respect the independence of the institution under the Federal Reserve Act".Meanwhile, Sterling was up 0.5 per cent on the dollar at $1.3495 after data that showed Britain's jobs market weakened further, albeit more slowly, while wage growth stayed strong - the latter underscoring why the Bank of England is so cautious about cutting interest numbers ought not to cause the Bank of England to accelerate the speed of its rate cuts. The BoE cut rates only last week in a tight 5-4 Australian dollar initially dipped after the Reserve Bank of Australia cut its interest rate by a quarter point, a move that was widely anticipated. The central bank cited a slowdown in inflation and a looser labor market, though it was cautious on prospects for further greenback's broad weakness, however, helped the Aussie recover ground to trade up 0.3 pr cent to $0.653 against the U.S. dollar. Currency markets largely ignored Trump's decision to extend a pause in sharply higher tariffs on Chinese imports for another 90 days, as widely expected.A1. The most popular cryptocurrency is Bitcoin.A2. Cryptocurrency bitcoin was about flat around $119,295, after climbing as high as $122,308.25 on Monday, taking it close to the all-time peak of $123,153.22 from mid-July.
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
U.S. Dollar rate, Bitcoin price crash: Experts make big prediction for currency markets
Currency markets had been in a holding pattern earlier as expectation grew that a moderate reading on U.S. price pressures could cement bets for a Fed rate reduction next month, which increased after last week's soft payrolls data. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs U.S. dollar fell across the board on Tuesday after data showed that U.S. consumer prices increased moderately in July, leaving intact the case for a Federal Reserve interest-rate cut next month. Cryptocurrency bitcoin was about flat around $119,295, after climbing as high as $122,308.25 on Monday, taking it close to the all-time peak of $123,153.22 from consumer price index rose 0.2 per cent last month after gaining 0.3 per cent in June, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Tuesday. In the 12 months through July, the CPI advanced 2.7 per cent after rising 2.7 per cent in June. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the CPI rising 0.2 per cent and increasing 2.8 per cent markets had been in a holding pattern earlier as expectation grew that a moderate reading on U.S. price pressures could cement bets for a Fed rate reduction next month, which increased after last week's soft payrolls euro erased earlier losses against the buck to trade up 0.4 per cent at $1.16663. The greenback fell 0.3 per cent against the Japanese yen to trade at 147.74 told CNBC that he would accept the job "if we can protect the value of the dollar ... that'll give us lower interest rates over time; if we aim for low and stable inflation, (and) respect the independence of the institution under the Federal Reserve Act".Meanwhile, Sterling was up 0.5 per cent on the dollar at $1.3495 after data that showed Britain's jobs market weakened further, albeit more slowly, while wage growth stayed strong - the latter underscoring why the Bank of England is so cautious about cutting interest numbers ought not to cause the Bank of England to accelerate the speed of its rate cuts. The BoE cut rates only last week in a tight 5-4 Australian dollar initially dipped after the Reserve Bank of Australia cut its interest rate by a quarter point, a move that was widely anticipated. The central bank cited a slowdown in inflation and a looser labor market, though it was cautious on prospects for further greenback's broad weakness, however, helped the Aussie recover ground to trade up 0.3 pr cent to $0.653 against the U.S. dollar. Currency markets largely ignored Trump's decision to extend a pause in sharply higher tariffs on Chinese imports for another 90 days, as widely expected.A1. The most popular cryptocurrency is Bitcoin.A2. Cryptocurrency bitcoin was about flat around $119,295, after climbing as high as $122,308.25 on Monday, taking it close to the all-time peak of $123,153.22 from mid-July.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Shohei Ohtani and his agent face lawsuit over $240 million Hawaii real estate project
Shohei Ohtani, Nez Balelo (Image Source: Getty) Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, allegedly used their Hollywood clout to squeeze a real estate broker and developer out of a $240 million luxury housing development, a new lawsuit filed in Hawaii circuit court claims. The plaintiffs, developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and broker Tomoko Matsumoto, contend that they were unlawfully pulled from 'The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort' after securing Ohtani to promote the project. Nez Balelo's demands allegedly led to partners' ouster After Shohei Ohtani joined the project, Balelo began pushing for increasingly favorable terms, which, according to the complaint, led their business partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, to quietly sideline Hayes and Matsumoto from their roles. According to the suit, Ohtani and Balelo, who have been Ohtani's representative for free-agent negotiations, are guilty of "tortious interference and unjust enrichment" after having "been brought into the venture for only promotional value" before upending the plaintiffs' positions "for no reason other than their own financial self-interest." A central claim in the suit highlights that 'Kingsbarn openly admitted ... by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Reportingly Undo that Balelo had demanded the terminations and that they were being done solely to placate him.' The plaintiffs allege they stand to lose millions in profits, management fees, and commissions as a result. Shohei Ohtani's endorsement role and broader implications In 2023, Ohtani was enlisted as a celebrity spokesperson for the project and had already chosen a home site, marking the development's "first resident." The development was 14 custom homes on the Hapuna Coast of Hawaii, aimed at U.S. and Japanese buyers, averaging $17.3 million each. They were sold with expensive graphics of Ohtani, posh amenities, and top-of-the-line branding. Also Read: Shohei Ohtani mom Kayoko Ohtani triggers massive debate after rejecting son's $700 million support Although Balelo and Ohtani remain radio silent as to public comment (CAA Baseball, Balelo's agency, declined comment), the lawsuit also carries a larger point: fame and celebrity do not leave you above the law. The lawsuit states that 'This case is about abuse of power.' Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
