The volume of investment entering global commercial property markets during 2011 was higher than in 2010, according to reports. Preliminary figures from the Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) Global Capital Flows report revealed $400 billion was made available as direct investment in commercial real estate markets around the world over the past 12 months, up 25 percent from the year before.

According to the study, the final quarter of 2011 saw three percent more money flow into commercial property assets than the previous three-month period, with transaction volumes of more than $100 billion recorded.

In the Americas, transaction levels climbed by 60 percent from the previous year, according to the report. Meanwhile, the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region saw investment volumes rise by 16 percent. Despite the positive performance, concerns remain that may affect commercial property investments in 2012.

"Sentiment and economic forecasts in Europe imply that we could be in for a difficult year, although in the Americas in particular, confidence does seem to be returning on the back of improving economic indicators," said Arthur de Haast, head of the international capital group at JLL, in a statement.

However, JLL research into investment in European retail assets shows the annual transaction volume is expected to be more than 28 billion euros in 2011. This represents a 35 percent increase over 2010.