New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) Private equity investment in Indian real estate rose to $637 million across nine transactions in Q1 2026, marking a 2.1 times increase from $300 million seen in Q1 2025, a report said on Thursday.

The report from real estate consultancy Knight Frank India said office assets led investment activity, drawing $529 million or 83 per cent of total inflows across four transactions.

All deals involved stabilised, income-generating assets, indicating a clear investor preference for yield visibility and asset-level security over development exposure.

Three of the four transactions were structured as equity, suggesting improving conviction on pricing for leased office assets.

The increase in PE investments reflected improved transaction activity, but investment momentum remains selective and largely driven by domestic capital, amidst continued global uncertainty, the report said.

Residential investments stood at $108 million across five transactions, largely debt‑led, and contributed 17 per cent of total activity, the report added.

Capital deployment was directed toward mid-income and luxury projects across various stages, reflecting a continued preference for downside protection in a segment where exit timelines remain less predictable.

The report noted that warehousing and retail recorded no transactions in Q1 2026, a notable contrast with their combined $885 million contribution in 2025.

In warehousing, the absence of activity reflects a more conservative underwriting stance amid elevated financing costs, and limited availability of stabilised, institutionally owned assets at acceptable entry yields.

Investment activity remained highly concentrated, with NCR accounting for $411 million or 65 per cent of inflows and Pune at $203 million or 32 per cent, while Mumbai saw limited activity at $23 million.

This concentration underscores a risk-calibrated deployment approach, with capital favouring markets that offer stronger leasing depth, institutional-grade assets, and clearer exit visibility, the report said.

Domestic funds invested $510 million, accounting for 80 per cent of the quarter’s total. Foreign capital remained selective, with deployment largely restricted to stabilised assets. Currency hedging costs, valuation gaps, and continued caution toward development risk continue to influence cross-border investment decisions.

—IANS

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