The property sector has produced superior returns over the last ten years growing 22% per annum, 4% faster than the JSE All Share Index. This phenomenal growth has mainly been driven by declining interest rates over the last seven years. The property sector is cyclical as these highly geared (high debt:equity ratio) companies benefit significantly from low interest rates and alternatively suffer when interest rates are rising.
Therefore given that interest rates appear to have bottomed and have started rising, we have not been in favour of the property sector over the last year. This has been borne out by the listed property sectors recent 10% decline, which we believe is the start of the sector underperforming.
Our view is supported by a recent Allan Gray report which sets out why the sector is over-valued, risky and hence their underweight position in the sector.
We believe the SA listed Property Sector should be avoided and one should invest into the right diversified balanced portfolio of unit trusts.
Click here to see which investment portfolio suits you best.