Delta moves from stabilisation to sustainability
• Net profit improved by 221.9% to R127.0 million, from a loss of R104.2 million in FY25
• Revenue increased by 0.9% to R1.15 billion
• SA REIT funds from operations per share increased by 14.6% to 17.3 cents
• Average rental collections improved to 99.8%, from 95.1% in FY25
• Overall portfolio vacancy improved to 27.3%, from 31.9% in FY25
• Covenant loan-to-value ratio improved to 56.7%, from 59.5% in FY25
• Interest cover ratio improved to 1.5 times, from 1.4 times in FY25
• Total interest-bearing debt reduced to R3.6 billion, from R3.9 billion
Delta Property Fund, the JSE’s only Level 1 B-BBEE sovereign-underpinned REIT, today published its audited annual results for the year ended 28 February 2026, reporting a return to profitability and further progress in executing its turnaround strategy.
CEO, Ms Bongi Masinga, said the results reflected a year of disciplined execution across the Group’s core strategic priorities. “FY26 was a year of meaningful operational and financial progress for Delta. We returned to profitability, reduced debt, improved our vacancy position, strengthened rental collections and continued to execute on our non-core disposal programme. The office market remains highly competitive, particularly for B- and C-grade space. However, the progress achieved during the year shows that Delta’s turnaround strategy is gaining traction and that management is focused on the areas that matter most: covenant improvement, leasing, collections, cost control and disposals.”
Strong recovery in profitability
Delta reported net profit of R127.0 million for the year, compared with a loss of R104.2 million in FY25. The improvement was supported by stable revenue, lower administration expenses, reduced finance costs and a positive swing in fair value movements.
Rental income increased by 0.9% to R1.15 billion from R1.14 billion in FY25, despite the impact of strategic property disposals, vacancies and rental reversions. Administration expenses decreased by 7.7% to R93.9 million, reflecting the benefit of cost-saving initiatives and the Group’s continued focus on operating as a leaner business.
The Group recorded a fair value gain of R5.1 million, compared with a fair value loss of R222.5 million in FY25. This positive movement was supported by portfolio optimisation, asset management initiatives and the disposal of weaker non-core assets.
Finance costs reduced materially
Finance costs decreased to R412.4 million from R463.0 million, supported by lower debt levels, the application of disposal proceeds to borrowings and the benefit of lower average interest rates during the financial year.
Total interest-bearing debt reduced to R3.6 billion from R3.9 billion. Capital repayments for the year amounted to R291.3 million, funded by R170.1 million from property disposal proceeds, R18.1 million from the disposal of the Group’s Grit shareholding and R103.1 million from amortisation payments.
Group CFO, Mr Fikile Mhlontlo, said Delta’s funding strategy remained focused on improving resilience and reducing refinancing risk.
“We continued to work closely with our lenders during the year to renew facilities, extend maturities and improve the Group’s debt profile. Total debt reduced by R291.3 million, finance costs declined and our key credit metrics improved, with covenant LTV reducing to 56.7% and ICR improving to 1.5 times. These metrics remain outside our target covenant levels, and we are not complacent. The priority remains clear: reduce debt, improve liquidity, continue disposing of non-core assets and restore the balance sheet to a more sustainable position.”
During the year, Delta renewed maturing debt facilities with key funders. The Nedbank facility was extended to 7 April 2027, three Investec facilities were consolidated into a single facility and renewed to 7 March 2027, while Standard Bank renewed facilities into two tranches maturing in May 2028 and November 2028. The Group also increased its revolving credit facility from R64.3 million to R82.0 million, of which R56.5 million was drawn at year-end.
Capital recycling and disposals continue
Delta continued to dispose of non-core and largely vacant properties as part of its portfolio optimisation strategy. During the reporting period, 16 properties with a combined fair value of R336.1 million and GLA of 112 110m² were sold for gross consideration of R318 million.
Delta also disposed of its entire holding of 14 869 210 shares in Grit Real Estate Income Group in November 2025. The shares were sold at 5.45 pence per share, with proceeds applied to debt reduction.
Masinga said the disposal programme remained central to the Group’s medium-term recovery. “The properties being sold are generally non-core, high-vacancy assets that place pressure on costs, income quality and capital allocation. Exiting these assets allows Delta to sharpen the portfolio, reduce income drag and focus management’s attention on the core portfolio.”
Vacancies improve, but leasing remains a key priority
Overall portfolio vacancy improved to 27.3% from 31.9% in FY25. The improvement was primarily driven by the disposal of non-core properties , as well as the conclusion of new lease agreements.
Core portfolio vacancy, excluding non-current assets held for sale, increased to 16.6% from 15.2% in FY25. Delta said reducing core vacancy remains a key management priority.
During the year, leases covering 139 666m² were renewed at a weighted average lease term of 1.3 years. The Group also concluded new leases covering 20 881m². WALE decreased to 12.9 months from 14.7 months, mainly as a result of most sovereign lease renewals being concluded for 12-month periods.
Masinga said longer-term lease renewals remained critical to improving the quality and predictability of income. “Delta’s sovereign tenant base remains a key strength, but the short-dated nature of several renewals continues to weigh on WALE. Our leasing focus is therefore on retaining existing tenants and converting short-term occupancy into longer-term lease commitments wherever possible whilst diversifying the tenant mix.”
Collections strengthen
Rental collections improved to 99.8% of billings from 95.1% in FY25, reflecting stronger collection performance and focused arrears management.
Trade and other receivables amounted to R160.5 million at year-end, compared with R155.4 million in FY25. A total provision for bad debts of R39.7 million was recognised at year-end, representing approximately 26% of trade receivables.
Looking ahead
Delta said the South African listed property sector continues to show gradual signs of recovery, supported by improved electricity supply, stabilising inflation and renewed investor engagement across the sector.
The South African Reserve Bank’s decision this week to increase interest rates by 25 basis points reinforces the likelihood of a cautious interest-rate environment. Higher funding costs, together with geopolitical uncertainty, elevated fuel price risk, municipal cost inflation and constrained economic growth, are expected to remain key pressure points for the sector.
Masinga concluded by saying. “The latest interest-rate increase is a reminder that the recovery path for highly geared property companies remains demanding. For Delta, that makes disciplined execution even more important. Our priorities are clear: reduce debt, improve covenant metrics, conclude non-core disposals, protect cash flows, renew leases and reduce vacancies. We are building a leaner and more focused business, with a portfolio increasingly centered on assets that support sustainable income.“

























































