LYON,FRANCE-Celogix, Aberdeen Property Investors' specialist European distribution property fund, has purchased two more distribution centres in France: one in Lyon and one in St. Fargeau - Ponthierry. The fund is now almost fully invested and the managers are planning to extend it.

PARIS-In France's biggest-ever portfolio deal, a consortium of CDC IXIS, GE Capital and Goldman Sachs' Whitehall Funds has completed the $2.7 billion sale and leaseback of a portfolio of real estate assets from France Telecom.

LONDON-A private investor has paid pounds 10 million ($16 million) for Morley Fund Management and Opus Land's recently completed Paradigm office development in Solihull, West Midlands.

LONDON-Capital & Regional has sold its 50% stake in the Capital Hill Partnership, owner of the 160,000-sf Maybird Centre in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, to its partner Hermes Property Unit Trust.

LONDON-The average rate of rental growth on commercial property is continuing to slow, according to new research from GVA Grimley. In the year to October 2002,annual growth stood at 0.3% against 3.2% pa a year previously.

LONDON-Morley Fund Management and Gazeley Properties, the property arm of Wal-Mart, are to develop a 200,000-sf speculative distribution scheme on a major 9.4-acre industrial/distribution site in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. <P>

LONDON-The Kenmore Property Group has sold mixed office industrial and retail portfolio to the Ashbourne Proeprty Fund for pounds 45 million ($71 million). The sale achieved a net initial yield of 8.75%.

LONDON-Engineering group Alstom has agreed a pounds 111-million ($175 million) sale &amp; leaseback with Key Property Investments, the. joint venture between St Modwen Properties and the Middle eastern investor Sahlia Real Estate.