The recent wave of takeovers and mergers in the quoted UK commercial real estate sector has continued this week with the proposed all-share takeover of UK Commercial Property (UKCM) by Tritax Big Box (BBOX).The deal, which values UKCM at 71.1p per share or a 10.8% premium to the previous day?s closing price, would create the UK?s fourth-largest REIT (real estate investment trust) by market cap wit

All-share deal to create top four REITOffer at a 10.8% premium to closing priceStrong strategic rationale for combiningThe wave of consolidation in the UK listed property sector looks set to continue with today?s announcement of an proposed deal between Tritax Big Box (BBOX) and UK Commercial Property (UKCM) to create the fourth-largest REIT (real estate investment trust) by market value.Shares in

While it was founded over a century ago as a general investment trust, since 1984 TR Property (TRY) has focused exclusively on analysing the UK and European property sectors looking for the most profitable and attractive companies.The FTSE 250 company currently has exposure to 12 European countries, including the UK, through holdings in over 60 stocks and funds as well as a small number of direct

We would hesitate to call it a wave of consolidation - maybe a ripple would be more appropriate - but this year has seen a number of mergers among investment trusts.There is a long tail of sub-scale funds and trusts in the UK all desperate to attract more investors, but with the average discount to net asset value hitting 18% at the end of October, according to research from Winterflood Securities

Combined market value just over £1 billionCombined assets close to £2 billionUK property sector ripe for consolidationThe UK property sector received a jolt this morning with the news UK Commercial Property REIT (UKCM), managed by investment group abrdn (ABDN), and independently-run Picton Property Income (PCTN), were in all-share merger talks.If the talks are successful, the merged company woul

The investment trust sector has seen huge price moves over the last couple of weeks, exacerbated by increased volatility in stock markets. The sector trades at an average 15% discount to net asset values (NAV), a level only seen at the depths of the financial crisis in 2008.ONE-DAY MOVEMENTSAs stock markets have recovered this week, we have seen some wild moves in the prices of some trusts and som

It has been another bad day for London-listed property funds and investment trusts as investors head for the hills in the wake of the EU Referendum vote.Investment trusts are taking a battering. Schroder Real Estate IT (SREI) fell 8.8% to 45.1p in early trade, Picton Property Income (PCTN) declined 7.8% to 59.8p and F&C Commercial Property (FCPT) dropped 7.3%.The biggest faller is Standard Life In

Income-hungry investors looking for exposure to bricks and mortar should take a look at commercial real estate company Picton Property Income (PCTN). The Guernsey-domiciled group is set to yield 4.6% in the year to 31 March 2016, backed up by 95% occupancy at its 60 office, warehousing, industrial, retail and leisure properties.At 70.8p the £382.3 million cap trades at a 6.4% discount to a net as

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) falls 2.1% to 794.5p on a 0.9% dropin pre-tax profit to £37.5 million in the 26 weeks to 25 January due to increased competition from supermarkets and higher pay and bonuses from pub staff. Like-for-like sales in the first six weeks of the second half have slowed to 1.6% which could drag on margins. Chairman Tim Martin says the strong second half of last financial year will b

The attractions of investing in a company that pays quarterly dividends are, for the income investor, undeniable. The range of London-listed securities offering such a steady stream of cash to shareholders is substantial. While the payment of quarterly dividends is not the norm on this side of the Atlantic, Shares has nevertheless identified a list of 61 vehicles that reward their shareholders fou

Specialty chemicals outfit Carclo (CAR) rises 5.8% to 188p after an improvementin sales during the second half for its Conductive Inkjet Technology division, thanks to substantial growth generated by major new contracts in the firm's US and Czech facilities. House broker N+1 Singer adds: 'The medium term outlook for the two core legacy divisions, Technical Plastics and LED Technologies, is as brig

There are two ways by which private investors can gain tax-efficient access to the rising valuations on offer in the UK's commercial property market. One is to invest in an offshore trust, while the other is to back a UK-listed real estate investment trust (Reit).Thousands of Britons legitimately invest in offshore funds designed to limit the tax paid on their investments in the property market. T

Sales are going well for JD Wetherspoon (JDW) but tax is still the thorn in its side. The pubs operator warnsthat it will pay a higher corporation tax this year due to an increase in non-qualifying capital expenditure. There's also going to be year-on-year reduction in operating margins, says the company. But it is news of a 6.7% rise in like-for-like sales in the 12 weeks to 19 January that captu

Britain's biggest water supplier United Utilities (UU.) postsa 14% increase in underlying pre-tax profit to £215.7 million. A steer towards future price rises, albeit likely below Ofwat's allowable limits, moves the shares 1.6% higher to 667.5p.Royal Mail (RMG) rises 6% to 565p on half-year results. We take a closer look at the numbers here.Catering giant Compass' (CPG) full-year results show a 9

The beaten-down commercial property sector presents an interesting opportunity for contrarian investors with yields now way in excess of those offered by equities or investment-grade corporate bonds.Rental yields on prime property are presently around the 6% mark whereas the FTSE 100 promises a 3.69% dividend return. UK Government 10-year Gilts are paying circa 1.7% and coupons on five-to-10 year

For a comedian preparing to embark on a potentially lucrative national tour drawing some attention to yourself is usually good for business. But Jimmy Carr tested the notion that all publicity is good publicity last June after an investigation by The Times newspaper discovered he was paying as little as 1% tax on his seven-figure earnings.Carr was not breaking the law and was one of thousands of h