More cash flows into safe haven of real estate

In the recent reporting season, real estate investment trust managers said they had experienced significant cash inflows from a variety of large and small investors seeking a haven.

The head of Real Estate and Infrastructure at Evergreen Capital, Andrew Smith, said that after three hard years of consolidation by the REITs, they were now attractive for investors looking for defensive investments.

"Boring is the new black. The trusts are now lowly geared, well managed and focused on Australia, which has made them very attractive," he said.

"We believe that by the end of this year, with returns at about 6 to 7 per cent, institutional allocations to the property sector will increase."

Confirming the flow of cash are the latest figures from the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority, showing total superannuation assets increased to $1.4 trillion in the June 2012 quarter.

Over the 12 months to June 2012 there was a 3.7 per cent increase in total estimated superannuation assets.

Brokers say a large portion of these assets flow into the stockmarket and will support the listed REIT market.

These investments will also be via takeovers such as the bid by Brookfield for Thakral Holdings, which owns Wynyard House in George Street and the Menzies Hotel.

The joint managing director of Charter Hall, David Harrison, said at the group's full-year results briefing that an additional $319 million of cash has flowed into the group's stable of listed and unlisted funds in the past eight months.

"In term of equity flows in wholesale funds we're really seeing that the traditional pooled and co-mingled sector [listed and unlisted funds under one manager], is still the largest sector in Australia and will continue to attract significant amounts of capital," he said. "Just in the last couple of months there have been oversubscribed raisings.

"We're seeing a movement of capital, particularly in the pension fund sector, from defensive asset classes such as cash and bonds particularly, and moving into another asset class - property."

Super funds are also moving into owing assets. The chief executive of Local Government Super, Peter Lambert, which owns many Sydney properties including 120 Sussex Street, said property was necessary for a diversified portfolio.

"There has been an appreciable swing into cash and property, which is seen as a growth asset," he said. "Direct property is a mixed bag as bank financing is still tough. But demand is still high for good quality buildings to which the owner can add value."

Direct investment in Australian real estate has risen from $2.59 billion in the first quarter of 2012 to $5.63 billion in the second, DTZ and the Australian Property Council said.

DTZ's Investment Market Update for the second quarter to June 30 said the number of deals increased almost 25 per cent quarter-on-quarter.

The average deal size increased 75 per cent to $77 million. The office sector accounted for 44 per cent, or $2.49 billion, of activity.

The firm said foreign investment into Australia accounted for 46 per cent of total investment in the second quarter, up from 24 per cent in the first quarter.

Private funds and high net worth individuals remained net buyers of real estate to June 30, according to the report, committing $1.24 billion. Institutions invested more than $1 billion over the second quarter.