Equites Property Fund embarks on UK asset disposal to reinvest in SA logistics sector

EQUITES Property Fund, a specialist logistics real estate investment trust, has initiated a phased disposal of its UK assets as it seeks to reinvest in the burgeoning South African logistics sector.

- EDWARD WEST

This strategic shift comes amid a backdrop of strong operations and a focus on long-term growth potential, according to CEO Andrea Taverna-Turisan, who spoke during the company's online financial results presentation on Thursday.

As of August 31, the Fund reported a 3.8% dividend per share (DPS) increase to 69.04 cents and reaffirmed its full-year dividend guidance between 140.62 and 143.29 cents, reflecting an anticipated growth of 5% to 7%. Taverna-Turisan expressed optimism about their performance, noting that the portfolio's quality has improved following the sale of older non-core assets while embracing new, environmentally sustainable properties.

Equites' portfolio value has grown to R28.3 billion as of August 2025, up from R27.7bn earlier this year, credited mainly to new acquisitions of R146 million, development expenditures amounting to R327m, and a notable 4% like-for-like fair value uplift on the income-producing portfolio. However, this growth has been tempered by disposals of R668m.