Navigating China’s property sector: growth, turmoil and outlook

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Navigating China’s property sector: growth, turmoil and outlook

The future of China’s real estate market remains uncertain, depending on economic factors, policy interventions and market sentiment

  • Beijing faces the uphill task of regaining trust among stakeholders in the property market, including developers, investors and homebuyers
  • Despite incremental steps to revive the market, the outlook remains tepid with state-owned developers poised to reshape the post-crisis landscape
  • The future of China’s property market remains uncertain, with the delicate interplay of economic factors, policy interventions and market sentiment shaping the course ahead

China’s property sector as we know it today began to take shape in the late 1990s following the economic reforms of the 1970s. Prior to this properties were owned and distributed by the state. The market underwent a significant surge in the early 2000s due to rapid urbanisation and an expanding middle class. Government intervention came into play to address speculative bubbles and rising property prices.

Nevertheless, the property sector continued to expand and emerged as a crucial pillar of China’s economy, contributing 13% of GDP in 20221. The sector’s evolution from a state-controlled system to a dynamic, market-driven industry is noteworthy. The government’s regulatory role remains vital as it seeks to balance economic growth, address social concerns and ensure stable, sustainable development in the housing sector.

The rapid expansion of the property sector led to substantial funding requirements (Figure 1). In addition to bank loans, developers turned to offshore funding due to strict controls on onshore bonds, particularly during market overheating. Moreover, funds raised onshore – whether through loans or bonds – were not permitted for land acquisitions. The appeal of global dollar bonds was heightened by crackdowns on shadow banking. Debt accumulated as Chinese developers frequently sought refinancing, resulting in annual sales of such bonds surging from US$675 million in 2009 to $64.7 billion in 2020, constituting around a quarter of China’s USD corporate bonds2.

Figure 1: offshore bond issuance and total property sales
Figure 1 : offshore bond issuance and total property sales

Source: National Bureau of Statistics/Bloomberg, 2023

The booming property sector owed its growth to increasing demand and speculative purchases, causing property prices to surge five-and-a-half times since the turn of the century3. Local governments relied heavily on land sales for revenue, and a central government aiming to foster economic growth was supportive of this. The policy landscape has subsequently cycled through various phases of easing and tightening, with measures like purchase restrictions, resale controls, pricing limits and mortgage regulations for different cities. In 2020, China tightened financing rules for developers to curb reckless borrowing. Although this was initially perceived as a step towards cooling the property market, and especially soaring prices, the most significant policy move was the introduction of “three red lines”4 which imposed debt-funded expansion limits on developers. The guiding principle for real estate initiatives subsequently became “housing is for living in, not for speculation”. Unfortunately, developers’ credit risks were underestimated and heavy debt burdens, including hidden debt and other liabilities, emerged. Access to financing worsened, leading to rising borrowing costs. Developers struggled to refinance and close the funding gap with internal resources and operating cash flow. This liquidity crisis escalated into widespread defaults, starting with smaller developers like Fantasia before engulfing Evergrande in December 20215 – the largest borrower among Chinese developers – and eventually affecting numerous private-owned developers (Figure 2).
Figure 2: defaulting Chinese developers
Figure 2 defaulting Chinese developers

Source: Bloomberg and company filings, 2023

The containment measures for Covid-19 in China exacerbated the crisis. Contracted sales dwindled due to incomes declining, quarantine-related property viewing restrictions and concerns among homebuyers about the delivery of pre-sold properties. By mid-2022 a growing number of projects were delayed or stalled due to developer cash shortages, triggering a significant mortgage boycott across multiple cities.

Social unrest prompted the government to intervene and introduce relaxation measures starting from November 2022. These aimed to enhance developers’ access to loans, bonds and equity financing and  offered flexibility in mortgage rates, reduced downpayment ratios and even lifted house purchase restrictions in select cities. Aimed at prioritising social stability, the government focused on ensuring property delivery through strictly managed third-party escrow accounts and a CNY200 billion special fund. This further worsened developers’ liquidity pressure, despite successfully boosting more home completions in the first half of 2023 among both good quality and distressed developers (Figure 3).

Figure 3: home completions among Chinese developers
Figure 3 home completions among Chinese developers

Source: JP Morgan, July 2023

After China’s reopening in early 2023, property sales briefly rebounded before declining again. Sluggish contracted sales proved to be a challenge for developers. The crisis extended to higher-quality firms including Country Garden, the country’s largest developer by sales. Conversely, state-backed developers benefited from increased market share given stronger homebuyer confidence in property delivery. By the end of July 2023, state-backed developers held three-quarters of the market share, having gained nearly 30% from private-owned developers since 20216.

What now?

Beijing’s challenge now revolves around restoring confidence among homebuyers, investors and developers themselves. Some developers might have the capacity to service their debts but choose not to due to bleak recovery prospects. Meanwhile, housing demand is hindered by a lack of confidence in property delivery, price expectations, and employment/income outlook.

So a turnaround in the property market remains elusive despite incremental easing measures, including mortgage rate cuts, lower downpayment ratios and selective relaxation of house purchase restrictions. This long-waited easing phase has proved less effective due to significant defaults among developers and a subdued economic outlook.

Looking ahead we can expect further marginal easing measures, such as the recent rate cut on existing mortgages. Sentiment will fluctuate based on whether policy actions meet expectations, but the overall outlook remains weak until there is a turnaround in either property sales or funding access. State-owned developers are poised to dominate the post-crisis landscape, while private-owned developers may operate on a smaller scale or even face elimination. This transition could lead to a gradual shift toward a residential property market with an increasing share of affordable and rental housing.

13 September 2023
Chuanyi Zhou -
Chuanyi Zhou
Asia Corporate Analyst
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Navigating China’s property sector: growth, turmoil and outlook

1 Bloomberg, as at 2022

2 Bloomberg, as at 2023

3 National Bureau of Statistics, 2020-23

4 Three red lines are refinancing thresholds: 1) liabilities/assets < 70% (excluding advance proceeds from pre-sold properties); 2) net debt/equity 100%. If a company passes all three the maximum permitted debt increase is 15% in the following year; if it passes two the debt increment cap is 10%; if it passes one it is 5%. If all are missed no new debt is allowed.

5 Bloomberg, China’s Warning to Evergrande Was Aimed at Fantasia, Too, 17 October 2021

6 National Bureau of Statistics, August 2023

Important Information

For use by professional clients and/or equivalent investor types in your jurisdiction (not to be used with or passed on to retail clients). For marketing purposes.

 

This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered representative of any particular investment. This should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments, or to provide investment advice or services. Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. Your capital is at risk. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. The value of investments is not guaranteed, and therefore an investor may not get back the amount invested. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency fluctuations and different financial and accounting standards. The securities included herein are for illustrative purposes only, subject to change and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell. Securities discussed may or may not prove profitable. The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change and may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) associates or affiliates. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Columbia Threadneedle and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, may not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not take into consideration individual investor circumstances. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor’s specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Asset classes described may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and no forecast should be considered a guarantee either. Information and opinions provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. This document and its contents have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority.

 

In Australia: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited [“TIS”], ARBN 600 027 414. TIS is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and relies on Class Order 03/1102 in respect of the financial services it provides to wholesale clients in Australia. This document should only be distributed in Australia to “wholesale clients” as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act. TIS is regulated in Singapore (Registration number: 201101559W) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289), which differ from Australian laws.

 

In Singapore: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited, 3 Killiney Road, #07-07, Winsland House 1, Singapore 239519, which is regulated in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289). Registration number: 201101559W. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

 

In Hong Kong: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services Hong Kong Limited 天利投資管理香港有限公司. Unit 3004, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Hong Kong, which is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) to conduct Type 1 regulated activities (CE:AQA779). Registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622), No. 1173058.

 

In Japan: Issued by Columbia Threadneedle Investments Japan Co., Ltd. Financial Instruments Business Operator, The Director-General of Kanto Local Finance Bureau (FIBO) No.3281, and a member of Japan Investment Advisers Association and Type II Financial Instruments Firms Association.

 

In the UK: Issued by Threadneedle Asset Management Limited, No. 573204 and/or Columbia Threadneedle Management Limited, No. 517895, both registered in England and Wales and authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

 

In the EEA: Issued by Threadneedle Management Luxembourg S.A., registered with the Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés (Luxembourg), No. B 110242 and/or Columbia Threadneedle Netherlands B.V., regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), registered No. 08068841.

 

In Switzerland: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services AG, an unregulated Swiss firm or Columbia Threadneedle Management (Swiss) GmbH, acting as representative office of Columbia Threadneedle Management Limited, authorised and regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).

 

In the Middle East: This document is distributed by Columbia Threadneedle Investments (ME) Limited, which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). For Distributors: This document is intended to provide distributors with information about Group products and services and is not for further distribution. For Institutional Clients: The information in this document is not intended as financial advice and is only intended for persons with appropriate investment knowledge and who meet the regulatory criteria to be classified as a Professional Client or Market Counterparties and no other Person should act upon it.

 

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

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Important Information

For use by professional clients and/or equivalent investor types in your jurisdiction (not to be used with or passed on to retail clients). For marketing purposes.

 

This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered representative of any particular investment. This should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments, or to provide investment advice or services. Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. Your capital is at risk. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. The value of investments is not guaranteed, and therefore an investor may not get back the amount invested. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency fluctuations and different financial and accounting standards. The securities included herein are for illustrative purposes only, subject to change and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell. Securities discussed may or may not prove profitable. The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change and may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) associates or affiliates. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Columbia Threadneedle and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, may not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not take into consideration individual investor circumstances. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor’s specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Asset classes described may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and no forecast should be considered a guarantee either. Information and opinions provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. This document and its contents have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority.

 

In Australia: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited [“TIS”], ARBN 600 027 414. TIS is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and relies on Class Order 03/1102 in respect of the financial services it provides to wholesale clients in Australia. This document should only be distributed in Australia to “wholesale clients” as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act. TIS is regulated in Singapore (Registration number: 201101559W) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289), which differ from Australian laws.

 

In Singapore: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited, 3 Killiney Road, #07-07, Winsland House 1, Singapore 239519, which is regulated in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289). Registration number: 201101559W. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

 

In Hong Kong: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services Hong Kong Limited 天利投資管理香港有限公司. Unit 3004, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Hong Kong, which is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) to conduct Type 1 regulated activities (CE:AQA779). Registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622), No. 1173058.

 

In Japan: Issued by Columbia Threadneedle Investments Japan Co., Ltd. Financial Instruments Business Operator, The Director-General of Kanto Local Finance Bureau (FIBO) No.3281, and a member of Japan Investment Advisers Association and Type II Financial Instruments Firms Association.

 

In the UK: Issued by Threadneedle Asset Management Limited, No. 573204 and/or Columbia Threadneedle Management Limited, No. 517895, both registered in England and Wales and authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

 

In the EEA: Issued by Threadneedle Management Luxembourg S.A., registered with the Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés (Luxembourg), No. B 110242 and/or Columbia Threadneedle Netherlands B.V., regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), registered No. 08068841.

 

In Switzerland: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services AG, an unregulated Swiss firm or Columbia Threadneedle Management (Swiss) GmbH, acting as representative office of Columbia Threadneedle Management Limited, authorised and regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).

 

In the Middle East: This document is distributed by Columbia Threadneedle Investments (ME) Limited, which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). For Distributors: This document is intended to provide distributors with information about Group products and services and is not for further distribution. For Institutional Clients: The information in this document is not intended as financial advice and is only intended for persons with appropriate investment knowledge and who meet the regulatory criteria to be classified as a Professional Client or Market Counterparties and no other Person should act upon it.

 

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

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