Listed Property Fund, until recently rather slow on the transformation front, are expected to step up black empowerment deal-making over the next few months to comply with the requirements of the Property Sector Transformation Charter signed last week by Government and industry players.

On the back of a strong run over the past three years, the listed property sector is expected to produce a total return of 16% over the next year - made up of 10% growth in distributions and 6% growth in capital.

The South African listed property sector is arguably the fastest-growing sector on the JSE, with about six new property funds having listed on the main board of the exchange in the past two years.

Listed property loan stock heavyweight Growthpoint, which is the largest property company on the JSE, has managed to conclude a significant empowerment deal with no dilution to existing unit-holders.

Listed property unit trust Emira Property Fund reported solid June year-end results with a 15,9% increase in distributions on an annualised basis.

Newly listed property unit trust Emira Property Fund yesterday reported an increase in its distributions for the six months to December of 11% on those of the previous six-month period.

The past 18 months have seen a flurry of corporate activity in the listed property sector with property acquisitions, mergers and new listings invigorating the sector and commentators expecting this trend to continue in the medium term.

Analysts expect acquisitions and listings to continue in the medium term

Listed property unit trust Emira Property Fund has committed itself to the purchase of a convenience shopping centre, to be developed in Pretoria.

Property unit trust Emira Property Fund, which listed on the JSE Securities Exchange SA in November last year, has managed to significantly reduce vacancies in its property portfolio, having let about 20552m² of space in the past seven months.