Property remains likely to outperform equities over the next five years in terms of total returns.
South African PLS companies have demonstrated an extraordinarily defensive performance in the current market.
The prices of property stocks remained remarkably resilient in the course of the global equity sell-off and the financial contagion of the sub-prime mortgage financial crisis.

The impact on listed property has been far smaller than on the general market. Listed property demonstrated superior returns and less volatility. From 13 July to the end of August 2007, the overall market took a beating and lost 11,4% while listed property dropped only 5%. However, the listed property sector has gained 30% and outperformed the overall market (24%) over the past 12 months as a result of its relatively high and defensive income yield.

Also, investors seem better informed about the nature of listed property and are buying with a three- to five-year view and, unlike experience in the second quarter of 2006, are prepared to wait out any short-term jitters.
Providing both annuity income and capital growth, underpinned by rental income from tangible property assets, an investment in listed property offers a lower-risk asset class.

Unlocking value from both the physical properties and the financial aspects of property investment continues to be a focus for the sector in its striving to increase returns for investors.

In addition to the exponential growth the listed property sector has experienced over the last few years, it has changed dramatically, gaining increased standing and investor popularity due to its solid performance as well as becoming more transparent, investor friendly and accessible.

The performance of PLS speaks for itself. However an investment in PLS also has other benefits including affordability, regular income distributions, flexibility, lower risk, ease of trade and the quality of the underlying property assets.