Marriott Property Equity comment - Sep 05 - Fund Manager Comment26 Oct 2005
Liquidity has been increased to 20% of the fund reflecting a more defensive asset allocation.
In our opinion, SA listed property remains overvalued.
1. Interest rates appear to be at the bottom of the current cycle, with high oil prices and a weakening currency putting pressure on inflation.
2. Current income yields of under 8% are well below historic averages.
3. Income yields are lower than those of long bonds. Bonds are considered expensive.
4. SA listed property securities are currently trading at premiums to net asset value in excess of 20%.
5. On a positive note, listed property companies are reporting healthy rental growth from the underlying portfolios, although this will only be experienced by investors in the fund in the first quarter of 2006.
An income dependent investor, having secured an income yield that is currently higher than most other options, should expect capital declines if interest rates rise.
Distributions
The distributions declared at the end of September 2005 were 17.6690 cents per unit (17.3179 cents per unit - June 2005) from the Property Equity Fund and 14.8175 cents per unit (14.4388 cents per unit - June 2005) from the Property Income Fund.
Property Fundamentals
Property fundamentals are improving with rentals strengthening across all sectors. A currently improving rental market will translate into income growth of approximately 3% to 4% pa, however this will only be experienced by investors in the fund in the first quarter of 2006.
The next 3 to 5 years
a. It is likely that interest rates are at the bottom of the current cycle particularly as high oil prices and a weakening currency are putting pressure on inflation. The 1 to 2 year expectation is higher rates than current levels. Bond yields are expected to increase over this period.
b. Economic growth over the next 2 to 3 years is expected to be above 3% pa. This is positive for underlying property fundamentals and will ultimately lead to higher rentals which will translate into higher income growth. This growth is currently evident in the market.
c. A currently improving rental market should translate into income growth of 3% to 4% pa on average over the next three years. This will only be experienced by investors in the fund in the first quarter of 2006.
d. Total returns over the next 5 years are expected to be approximately 2% to 6% pa. This forecast is based on an expected 9 to 11% income yield in 5 years time and an annual growth in income of between 3% and 4%. In a relatively stable interest rate environment with reasonable economic growth, these expected total returns are realistic. Please note that all of the expected positive return will be a result of the income yield, factoring in price depreciation.
e. In our opinion, SA listed property is currently overvalued. Income dependent investors looking to secure an income yieldthat is currently higher than most other options should expect capital declines if interest rates rise.
Marriott Property Eq-Bearish stance has not helped - Media Comment22 Sep 2005
This was the original flexible property fund, yet ironically Marriott has been more bearish than its competitors in the sector. Fund manager Simon Pearse has increased the cash holdings in the fund to 20%, close to the top of the range. He warns that income yields are lower than on long bonds, which themselves are considered expensive. He notes that the listed property sector trades at a premium to net asset value in excess of 20%. But he says over five years total returns will still be in the 2% -6% range.
Financial Mail - 23 September 2005
Marriott Property Equity comment - Jun 05 - Fund Manager Comment15 Aug 2005
Liquidity has been increased to 20% of the fund reflecting a more defensive asset allocation.
In our opinion, SA listed property is currently overvalued.
1. Interest rates appear to be at the bottom of the current cycle, with high oil prices and a weakening currency putting pressure on inflation.
2. Current income yields of 8% are well below historic averages.
3. Income yields are at the same level as those of long bonds. Bonds are considered expensive.
4. SA listed property securities are currently trading at premiums to net asset value in excess of 20%.
5. On a positive note, there is healthy rental growth from the underlying property in the portfolios, although this will only be experienced by investors in the fund in approximately 12 months time.
An income dependent investor, having secured an income yield that is currently higher than most other options, should expect capital declines if interest rates rise.
Distributions
The distributions declared at the end of June 2005 were 17.3179 cents per unit (17.5788 cents per unit - March 2005) from the Property Equity Fund and 14.4388 cents per unit (14.4318 cents per unit - March 2005) from the Property Income Fund.
Property Fundamentals
Property fundamentals are improving with rentals strengthening across all sectors. A currently improving rental market will translate into income growth of approximately 3% to 4% p.a., however this will only be experienced by investors in the fund in approximately 12 months time.
The next 3 to 5 years
a. It is likely that interest rates are at the bottom of the current cycle particularly as high oil prices and a weakening currency are putting pressure on inflation. The 1 to 2 year expectation is higher rates than current levels. Bond yields are expected to increase over this period.
b. Economic growth over the next 2 to 3 years is expected to be above 3% pa. This is positive for underlying property fundamentals and will ultimately lead to higher rentals which will translate into higher income growth. This growth is currently evident in the market.
c. A currently improving rental market should translate into income growth of 3% to 4% pa on average over the next three years. This will only be experienced by investors in the fund in approximately 12 months time.
d. Total returns over the next 5 years are expected to be approximately 4% to 8% pa. This forecast is based on an expected 11% to 12% income yield in 5 years time and an annual growth in income of between 3% and 4%. In a relatively stable interest rate environment with reasonable economic growth, these expected total returns are realistic. Please note that all of the expected positive return will be a result of the income yield, factoring in price depreciation.
e. In our opinion, SA listed property is currently overvalued. Income dependent investors looking to secure an income yield that is currently higher than most other options should expect capital declines if interest rates rise.
Marriott Property Equity comment - Mar 05 - Fund Manager Comment19 May 2005
In our opinion, SA listed property is currently overvalued.
1. Interest rates appear to be at the bottom of the current cycle, with high oil prices and a weakening currency putting pressure on inflation.
2. Current income yields of 8% are well below historic averages.
3. Income yields are at the same level as those of long bonds. Bonds are considered expensive.
4. SA listed property securities are currently trading at premiums to net asset value in excess of 20%.
5. On a positive note, there is healthy rental growth from the underlying property in the portfolios, although this will only be experienced by investors in the fund in approximately 12 months time.
An income dependent investor, having secured an income yield that is currently higher than most other options, should expect capital declines if interest rates rise.
1. Distributions - The distributions declared at the end of March were 17.5788 cents per unit (17.5580 cents per unit - Dec 2004).
2. Property Fundamentals - Property fundamentals are improving with rentals strengthening across all sectors. A currently improving rental market will translate into income growth of approximately 3% to 4% p.a., however this will only be experienced by investors in the fund in approximately 12 months time.
3. The next 3 to 5 years
a. It is likely that interest rates are at the bottom of the current cycle particularly as high oil prices and a weakening currency are putting pressure on inflation. The 1 to 2 year expectation is higher rates than current levels. Bond yields are expected to increase over this period.
b. Economic growth over the next 2 to 3 years is expected to be above 3% pa. This is positive for underlying property fundamentals and will ultimately lead to higher rentals which will translate into higher income growth. This growth is currently evident in the market.
c. A currently improving rental market should translate into income growth of 3% to 4% pa on average over the next three years. This will only be experienced by investors in the fund in approximately 12 months time.
d. Total returns over the next 5 years are expected to be approximately 4% to 8% pa. This forecast is based on an expected 11% to 12% income yield in 5 years time and an annual growth in income of between 3% and 4%. In a relatively stable interest rate environment with reasonable economic growth, these expected total returns are realistic. Please note that all of the expected positive return will be a result of the income yield, factoring in price depreciation.
e. In our opinion, SA listed property is currently overvalued. Income dependent investors looking to secure an income yield that is currently higher than most other options should expect capital declines if interest rates rise.
Marriott Property Equity comment - Dec 04 - Fund Manager Comment16 Feb 2005
In our opinion, SA listed property is currently overvalued.
1. Interest rates appear to be near the bottom of the current cycle.
2. Current income yields at 8% are well below historic averages.
3. Income yields are about 0.5% higher than long bonds. Bonds are considered expensive.
4. SA listed property securities are currently trading at premiums to net asset value in excess of 20%.
5. On a positive note, there are signs of rental growth from property.
An income dependent investor having secured an income yield that is currently higher than most other options should expect capital volatility and short term capital loss may be experienced.
Distributions
The distributions declared at the end of December were 17.5580 cents per unit (17.1973 cents per unit - Sept 2004) from the Property Equity Fund and 14.4158 cents per unit (14.5070 cents per unit - Sept 2004) from the Property Income Fund.
Property Fundamentals
The direct property market fundamentals are improving with rentals strengthening across all sectors. A currently improving rental market will translate into income growth of approximately 3% to 4% p.a., however this will only be experienced by investors in the fund in 12 to 18 months time.
The next 3 to 5 years
a. It is likely that interest rates are near the bottom of the current cycle with the 1 to 2 year expectation being higher rates than current levels. Bond yields are expected to increase over this period.
b. Inflation on average appears to be well contained for the next 2 to 3 years.
c. Economic growth over the next 2 to 3 years is expected to be above 3% pa. This is positive for underlying property fundamentals and will ultimately lead to higher rentals which will translate into higher income growth. This growth is currently evident in the market.
d. A currently improving rental market should translate into income growth of 3% to 4% pa on average over the next three years. This will only be experienced by investors in the fund in 12 to 18 months time.
e. Total returns over the next 5 years are expected to be approximately 4% to 8% pa. This forecast is based on an expected 11% to 12% income yield in 5 years time and an annual growth in income of between 3% and 4%. In a relatively stable interest rate environment with reasonable economic growth, these expected total returns are realistic. Please note that virtually all of the expected total return will be a result of the income yield.
f. In our opinion, SA listed property is currently overvalued. Income dependent investors looking to secure an income yield that is currently higher than most other options should expect capital volatility and short term capital declines may be experienced.