Listed property outperformed cash, bonds and equities in 2012 with total returns of 36% to become South Africa’s best performing asset class for the fourth consecutive year.

The PLSA reports that for the last 12 months to the end of February 2012, SA Listed Property recorded the highest total return of any asset class at 21.75%

Funding via the bond market is considered as more transparent than conventional debt, with listed property funds accessing capital at more attractive rates

Commercial rental income falls 2,7% the decline attributed to the effect of property disposals, partly offset by a rise in tenant retentions to 93%.

The South African listed property sector is growing in leaps and bounds, having increased its market capitalisation over the past 12 months from R122bn, with 18 counters, to R158bn, with 29 counters, as at the end of last month.

Global market uncertainty has impacted local capital markets and SA listed property was not immune to the volatility that arose from the nervousness.

Sharp fall expected as Hospitality Property Fund reels in the embattled hotel market, warning that distributable earnings may be as much as 28% lower

Longer leases and a livelier market down under are attractive to SA investors

Listed property comfortably continues to outpace inflation and the JSE, but one risk factor lies in rising bond yields.

With yet another bricks-and-mortar portfolio Vunani Property Investment Fund made its debut on the JSE, the fourth new property listing since November.