Commercial property sector still divides opinion

Managers are divided on whether we have seen the bottom of the property market but most are still convinced of the long-term benefits of the asset class

After a tumultuous 12 months, opinion is still divided on the beleaguered commercial property sector. While some commentators are unwilling to call the bottom of the market, fearing more bad news to come, some are suggesting the sector has finally reached a turning point. IMA figures show property funds listed in the Specialist sector were at their most popular with retail investors at the start of 2007. Inflows peaked in March that year with net retail sales totalling £471m. The low point came in November 2007 when there were net retail outflows of £253m. Institutional investors, n...