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- RHB noted that aggregate property sales rose 11.4% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025, signalling sustained buying interest despite the roll-out of an expanded sales and service tax (SST) and targeted fuel subsidies.
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 6): Real estate investment trust (REIT) listings and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) will be the highlights of the property sector in 2026.
Based on third-quarter sales in 2025, RHB Investment Bank expects property demand to stay solid moving forward supported by resilient demand, solid sales momentum and several high-visibility catalysts.
The house highlighted in a note several potential sentiment drivers, including the completion of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) by end-2026, the planned listing of Sunway Healthcare Holdings Bhd, the healthcare division of Sunway Bhd, in the first quarter of 2026, possible REIT listings by several developers, and the completion of Sime Darby Property Bhd's first data centre facility at Elmina in the third quarter.
RHB noted that aggregate property sales rose 11.4% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025, signalling sustained buying interest despite the roll-out of an expanded sales and service tax (SST) and targeted fuel subsidies.
Excluding overseas contributions, domestic sales still recorded a 1% year-on-year increase, aided by stronger project launches and improved conversion of bookings into sales.
Separately, the investment bank remains positive on the Iskandar Malaysia property market, expecting increased launches and news flow ahead of the RTS Link completion.
It added that a more accommodative interest rate environment could encourage landbanking, asset acquisitions and potential M&A, helping unlock further value for developers.
RHB maintained its ‘overweight’ call on the property sector and named Sunway and Sime Darby Property as its top picks.
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