By Renta 4Norges Bank Investment Management, together with Sonae Sierra, signed an agreement last Friday to purchase the portfolio of shopping centres owned by the Balkany family in Spain, valued at €1.5 billion, according to information from the business newspaper Expansión. This transaction thus includes the integration of a team of more than 130 professionals who currently manage the eight shopping centres in the acquired portfolio, as well as a further ten assets owned by third parties. Once the transaction is complete, Sonae Sierra will manage 73 shopping centres across eight countries, reaching a total volume of assets under management of €8.5 billion. Assessment:This news highlights investor interest in shopping centres in Spain, given the strong operational performance they have demonstrated over recent financial years (a solid post-Covid recovery), coupled with their attractive risk-return profile relative to other property assets. The news also has positive implications for Merlin Properties’ portfolio of shopping centres.