Mergers and acquisitions could soon wash over the Australian REIT sector, with the suggestion that Stockland could make a tilt at GPT gaining ground in recent times. GPT has been well supported by hedge funds, which last week pushed the stock up 7.03% to 69¢ per security - still half the price it was a year ago.

Stockland has also been very strong, although some profit-taking saw it fall on Friday by 2¢ to $4.07.

Brokers attributed the gains in GPT to the fact it has underperformed when compared with its peers Westfield, Stockland and Mirvac on a rolling quarter.

The Age