Adds details and context on AI-related demand, CEO and analyst comments throughout

May 20 (Reuters) - Real estate group British Land BLND.L reported an annual profit that was slightly above market expectations on Wednesday, helped by solid demand for office spaces from artificial intelligence and technology firms.

Demand from AI and technology firms like Claude creator Anthropic and OpenAI for office spaces in London, coupled with a constrained supply of large commercial spaces, has helped British Land approach full occupancy and report strong rental growth.

"While the geopolitical and interest rate backdrop has become more uncertain, the occupational fundamentals underpinning our portfolio are as strong as I have seen them," CEO Simon Carter said in a statement.

"Central London office net take-up is at its highest level in 20 years and our retail parks are 99% occupied."

British Land, which owns campus-style developments and counts Meta META.O and Gilead GILD.O among its major tenants, said leasing volumes across its office campuses were the highest in more than a decade as occupiers continued to expand their footprints across London with activity focused at Broadgate and Regent’s Place.

For fiscal 2027, the firm said it expected rental growth at the top end of its earlier provided 3% to 5% range.

However, the company warned that the macroeconomic volatility arising from the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is likely to derail investments in the sector, after a period of growth in 2025 supported by stabilizing yields and a debt recovery from the COVID-19 slump.

"Overall, we see this as a solid update with operations continuing to drive performance despite yield and macro volatility," JPMorgan analyst Neil Green said in a note.

The company stuck to its 2027 earnings forecasts, even as it reported an underlying profit of 294 million pounds ($393.6 million) for the year ended March 31, compared with analyst expectations of 291 million pounds, according to a company-compiled consensus.

The results echoed those of peer Land Securities LAND.L, which last week beat market expectations on the back of AI-driven demand for premium office spaces.

($1 = 0.7469 pounds)