Stephen Brookes’ Balwin stake soars above $20 million

Omokolade Ajayi -
Key Points
  • South African tycoon Stephen Brookes sees his wealth rise as Balwin Properties shares rally, increasing his stake's market value by $2.53 million.
  • Brookes holds a 33.07% controlling stake in Balwin Properties, translating to 171,751,457 shares worth over $20 million.
  • Balwin Properties shares have gained 7.83% year-to-date, with an initial $100,000 investment now valued at $107,830.

South African real estate tycoon, Stephen Brookes, has witnessed a significant increase in the market value of his stake, propelled by a recent rally in the shares of Balwin Properties on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

Brookes, the founder of Balwin Properties, holds a controlling 33.07-percent stake in the company, translating to 171,751,457 ordinary shares. Over the past 28 days, this stake has surged by R44.66 million ($2.53 million), boosting his stake above $20 million.

This follows a previous gain of $2.3 million recorded between Sep. 20 and Oct. 1, during which his holdings surged from R332.23 million ($19.27) to R371.42 million ($$21.55 million).

Balwin Properties’ stock gains boost Stephen Brookes’ wealth

Founded in 1996, Balwin Properties, known for its large-scale estates catering to South Africa’s low-to-middle-income population, prides itself on providing affordable and environmentally efficient apartments with innovative lifestyle offerings for residents.

In recent times, the company’s shares on the JSE have increased from R2.08 ($0.12) on Oct. 3 to R2.34 ($0.13), representing a 12.5-percent loss for shareholders, boosting its market cap above $65 million and delivering strong returns for shareholders, including Brookes.

This surge raised Brookes’ stake in Balwin from R357.24 million ($20.21 million) to R401.89 million ($22.73 million), a gain of R44.66 million ($2.53 million).

Your Money and Your Life

Year-to-date, Balwin Properties' shares have gained 7.83 percent, supported by the Rand's strengthening against the dollar.

This rally means that an initial investment of $100,000 in Balwin at the start of 2024 would now be worth $107,830 yielding a $7,830 gain for shareholders.