Last year more money about R4,5bn was invested into real estate funds, than into equity R4bn unit trusts, there are now 22 real estate funds for just 19 shares in the sector.

Further Corporate activity is on the cards for the listed property sector as funds become increasingly aggressive in their drive to bulk up assets under management. The sector has seen a number of mergers and takeovers over the past year, with the Madison managed stable of funds being one of the key players.

Listed retail property loan stock Hyprop Investments now holds a 44,4% stake in rival property fund SA Retail Properties, following the acceptance by 37,8% of SA Retail unitholders of Hyprop's offer, which closed on September 9.

Giant insurer Old Mutual has struck a deal to buy Marriott, the Durban-based merchant bank, unit trust and property fund managers

Old Mutual Properties has offered to buy the entire business of Durban-based property group Marriott Holdings in a deal that could be worth up to R500m .

The Hyprop share is up 2.3% to R24 buoyed by the booming property market - also the news that more than 60% of Hyprop unit holders are in favour of taking over rival property group SA Retail.

Hyprop Investments has adjourned its general meetings called to vote on the group's takeover bid for rival SA Retail, saying it would be doing further canvassing of SA Retail unitholders about its takeover prospects

Marriott, the fund manager of listed property funds SA Retail Properties and Martprop, has dealt a blow to Hyprop Investments' takeover bid for SA Retail, saying more than half of SA Retail unitholders will reject Hyprop's offer.

Business Day interview with Simon Pearse.

Marriot says more than half of SA Retail unitholders will reject Hyprop’s offer.