Bear Stearns 2.0? UK’s Largest Property Fund Halts Redemptions, Fears “Vicious Circle”

In the summer of 2007, two inconsequential Bear Stearns property-related funds were gated and then liquidated, exposing the reality of the US housing bubble and catalyzing the collapse of the financial system. While equity markets have rebounded exuberantly post-Brexit, suggesting all is well, British property-related assets have tumbled and, as The FT reports, Standard Life has been forced to stop retail investors selling out of one of the UK’s largest property funds for at least 28 days after rapid cash outflows were sparked by fears over falling real estate values. As one analyst warned, “the risk is this creates a vicious circle, and prompts more investors to dump property.”
Standard Life Investments has suspended trading on its 2.7 billion U. K. Real Estate fund, effective immediately, following Brexit, Investment Week reported, citing a statement. The firm has suspended trading on the SLI UK Real Estate PAIF and the SLI UK Real Estate income and accumulation feeder funds.
The company cites “exceptional market circumstances” following an increase in redemption requests from the referendum.
The drop in NAV is the largest since Lehman…

This post was published at Zero Hedge on Jul 4, 2016.