A Number of property unit trust companies are restructuring and transferring properties from their fixed-property companies to take advantage of capital gains tax benefits.

While some large property funds are optimistic about the market, others believe it could stay flat for the time being despite reports of excellent returns.

Property unit trust company Allan Gray Property Trust (Grayprop, GRY) declared a distribution for the six months ended March 31 of 15 cents per unit - in line with the forecast in the annual report.

Group sees massive scope for growth in listed sector, writes David Jackson.

Sector performs better than equities despite tough conditions in market.

Group has 68% retail sector exposure.

Investors in property unit trust Allan Gray Property Trust (Grayprop) are having to cope with a serious case of stalled earnings growth.

TWO events shook the listed property sector of the JSE Securities Exchange SA last week: the merger between Grayprop and Grayvest, and Primegro's acquisition of Richway's retail properties.

And the rule for predictable long-term returns is a sizeable, diversified portfolio, says an expert RETURNS on property unit trusts continued to outstrip returns on physical property last year, says John Rainier, vicechairman of the Association of Property Unit Trusts.

A number of changes to the structure and regulation of property unit trusts on the JSE Securities Exchange SA should stimulate growth in the sector, says Association of Property Unit Trusts chairman John Rainier.