Industrial and logistics properties accounted for 63% of net-lease investment activity in Q2 2026, reaching $8.1 billion and driving a 13% year-over-year increase in total net-lease investment volume to $12.8 billion. Investors continue favoring long-duration, income-producing assets in the industrial sector amid a constructive rate environment.
- Industrial and logistics sector captured 63% of net-lease investment in Q2 2026 ($8.1 billion), up from 56% a year earlier, with investment rising 28% year-over-year
- Total net-lease investment volume reached $12.8 billion in Q2 2026, up 13% year-over-year and accounting for 10% of total commercial real estate investment
- Private investors led market activity with $7.3 billion invested, increasing 16% year-over-year, while single-asset industrial transactions saw a 37% surge
- Office sector share declined to 14% ($1.8 billion) from 20% a year ago, while retail remained steady at 22% ($2.9 billion)
- Cross-border investment increased 14% year-over-year to $922 million, with Sweden, Japan, Canada, Singapore, and South Korea accounting for 80% of foreign capital
U.S. net-lease investment gained further momentum in Q2 2026, driven by accelerating industrial activity and steady investor demand for long-duration, income-producing assets, according to the latest research from CBRE.
The industrial and logistics sector continued to account for the largest share of net-lease investment activity in Q2 2026 at 63% ($8.1 billion), up from 56% a year earlier, with investment rising 28% year-over-year driven by a 37% increase in single-asset sales. The office sector's share decreased to 14% ($1.8 billion) from 20% a year ago, reflecting a 21% year-over-year decline in volume, while retail's share eased to 22% ($2.9 billion) from 24%, with investment volume up 6% year-over-year.
“Industrial demand remained the defining force in net-lease investment in Q2 2026, and retail's steady growth reinforces the breadth of investor interest across property types, with investors continuing to favor stable, long-duration assets amid a constructive rate environment,” says Will Pike, president of U.S. industrial and logistics capital markets and managing director of net‑lease properties at CBRE. “Single-asset industrial transactions were a particular bright spot in Q2, and we expect industrial to continue driving the market through the second half of 2026.”
Key takeaways:
· Net-lease investment volume increased 13% year-over-year in Q2 2026, reaching $12.8 billion and accounting for 10% of total commercial real estate investment. For the year ending Q2 2026, net-lease investment volume increased 14% year-over- year to $57 billion.
· Private investors remained the most active buyers in the market, with investment increasing 16% year-over-year to $7.3 billion in Q2 2026. Institutional investors and equity funds increased net-lease investment by 16% year-over-year to $2.3 billion. REIT investment totaled $1 billion, down 9% from a year earlier.
· Cross-border investment increased 14% year-over-year to $922 million in Q2 2026, representing 7% of total net-lease investment, consistent with the prior year. For the year ending Q2 2026, foreign net-lease investment fell 15% to $4.8 billion. Sweden, Japan, Canada, Singapore, and South Korea, were the leading sources of cross-border capital over the past year, together accounting for 80% of total foreign investment volume.
