Listed property loan stock company has reported below-average distribution growth of 7,6% to 29,6c for each unit for the year to September

The third quarter of 2006 saw a rebound in performance of the Real Estate segment of collective investment schemes (previously called unit trusts) after a large dip in the second quarter ending June. On average, these funds saw a return of 8.3% for the third quarter ending September, after a somewhat dismal loss of 15.9% in the second quarter, according to official returns of the Association of Collective Investments (ACI) prepared by Hugo Lambrechts.

Listed property loan stock firm Paramount Property Fund (Paraprop) announced yesterday it was to acquire two properties worth more than R200m.

Listed property loan stock company iFour Properties said yesterday it had delivered a total return of 21,1% to its unitholders for the year to June.

ABSA Bank has acquired full control of the management company of listed property company Ambit Properties for an undisclosed amount

There is overseas investor interest in SA’s commercial real estate market, and the adoption of the internationally accepted Real Estate Investment Trusts (Reits) structure by the local listed property sector could create opportunities to attract foreign investors.

SA's listed property index is set to continue to outperform cash and bonds over the medium-term, says Catalyst Securities' Annual Review.

Construction of the new R450m, 40,000 square metre regional shopping centre on site adjacent to The Ridge Casino in Emahlaleni has commenced.

There is still very much a place for listed property in the form of property loan stocks and property unit trusts in one's portfolio - particularly if one is looking for increased income.

South Africa's Listed Property index produced a total return of 2.23% last month, bringing its total year-to-date return to 37.74%, according to the latest review of the listed property sector by Catalyst Securities, released this week.