SA REITs deliver back-to-back gains
SA REITs deliver back-to-back gains as November rally lifts year-to-date returns to 37.9%
Sector market capitalisation breaks R300 billion barrier for the first time since 2019 as dividend growth accelerates and investor confidence surges
South African real estate investment trusts (REITs) extended their winning streak in November, delivering a 9.1% total return following October’s stellar 10.8% gain. The sector significantly outpaced both equities, which returned 1.7%, and bonds, which returned 3.4%. Year to date to 30 November 2025, SA REITs have now returned an impressive 37.9%, surpassing both the broader equity market at 36.2% and bonds at 20.9%.
“The sector’s momentum remains firmly intact. Strong and accelerating dividend growth, combined with lower interest rates and long bond yields, has driven a sharp narrowing in the discounts to net asset value that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic,” remarks Ian Anderson, Head of Listed Property and Portfolio Manager at Merchant West Investments and compiler of the monthly SA REIT Chart Book.
The strong price gains, together with new equity capital raised during the year, have propelled the sector’s market capitalisation above R300 billion for the first time since November 2019. Since the end of May 2024, SA REITs have returned a remarkable 84.3% as headwinds such as high interest rates and load shedding gave way to renewed optimism following the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Published by the SA REIT Association and compiled by Anderson, the SA REIT Chart Book distils sector performance, valuation, yield and capital markets activity into clear visual intelligence along with informed commentary for investors and media. The latest November issue was released on 11 December 2025. (Benchmark and methodology: SA REIT Index total return, FTSE/JSE indices, end-November 2025.)
Highlights from the SA REIT Chart Book November 2025
- Sector total return: +9.1% month-on-month
- Equities: +1.7% month-on-month
- Bonds: +3.4% month-on-month
- SA REIT year to date: +37.9%
- Market capitalisation: Exceeds R300 billion for the first time since November 2019
- Distribution growth (rolling 12 months): 10.12%
- Top performers: Delta Property Fund (+26.9%), Accelerate Property Fund (+19.6%), Safari Investments (+14.1%)
What’s driving the rally
Anderson attributes the sustained advance to improving property fundamentals across South Africa over the past two years, which have translated into lower vacancy rates and positive market rental growth. “This is now being reflected in most companies’ outlook statements. Medium-term distributable income growth prospects of between 6% and 8% per annum over the next three years are supportive of current valuations and investors should continue to anticipate low double-digit returns from the sector over the medium term,” he says.
Company updates
Delta Property Fund led all SA REITs in November with a 26.9% share price gain after delivering a better-than-expected interim result for the six months to August 2025. Accelerate Property Fund was the second-best performer, rallying 19.6% after providing a trading update towards the end of the month that highlighted ongoing improvements at the company and exceeded market expectations.
Burstone Group’s results for the six months to September 2025 were in line with expectations, though guidance for FY26 of distributable income per share growth of between 2% and 4% sits at the lower end of the peer group.
Several other companies reported results or provided trading updates during the month, all of which were in line with or above market expectations. In most cases, guidance has been increased for FY26 as property fundamentals continue to improve.
Outlook
“With distribution growth accelerating to over 10% and property fundamentals on an improving trajectory, the sector is well positioned to deliver sustained returns for investors. The combination of attractive forward yields, improving operational metrics and a supportive interest rate environment underpins our constructive view,” Anderson concludes.
The SA REIT Association Chart Books are available for download here.
SA REIT Conference 2026
The SA REIT Association will be unpacking global trends and the future trajectory of the local REIT sector at its highly anticipated biannual conference on 12 February 2026 in Johannesburg.
The conference will feature Peter Verwer, a founding member of the Global Real Estate Alliance and a heavyweight in international property policy. His keynote presence underscores the increasing integration of South Africa’s commercial property sector into the global fold.
Demand for the event has been unprecedented, mirroring the sector’s performance.
Registration alert: Registration for the SA REIT Conference, proudly sponsored by Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking’s Property Finance division, closes strictly on 12 December 2025. Due to high demand only a small number of seats remain before the waiting list opens.
Register here.

























































