SGX Market Strategist, Equity & Fixed Income, Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Geoff Howie

SGX Market Strategist, Equity & Fixed Income

Asia’s leading multi-asset exchange

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Singapore Exchange is Asia’s leading and trusted market infrastructure, facilitating the exchange of capital and ideas to create value for people, businesses and economies. As a multi-asset exchange operating equity, fixed income and derivatives markets to the highest regulatory standards, SGX is a vertically integrated business that provides listing, trading, clearing, settlement, depository and data services.

With about 40% of listed companies and over 80% of listed bonds originating outside of Singapore as well as established linkages across the region and in Europe, SGX is Asia’s most international and connected exchange. Offering a full suite of derivatives products across Asian equity indices, commodities and currencies, SGX is the world’s most liquid international market for the benchmark equity indices of China, India, Japan and ASEAN.

As Asia’s pioneering central counterparty, SGX is globally recognised for its risk management and clearing capabilities, and was one of the first globally to adopt the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructure.

Headquartered in AAA-rated Singapore, SGX has over 800 employees including offices in Beijing, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, New York, Mumbai, San Francisco, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Equity Bottom-Up

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 <div class='content-caption'>Singapore office assets</div>
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According to data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), office rental prices in Q4 2021 have improved by 0.9 per cent quarter on quarter. The improvement in Q4 2021 comes after a decline of 3.5 per cent in the previous quarter. On a year-on-year basis, office rents have improved by 1.9 per cent in 2021, after dipping over 8.5 per cent in 2020.

Office vacancy rates have also shown a slight improvement in the latest Q4 2021 at 12.8 per cent. 
Listed in Singapore are five S-REITs with significant exposure to local office assets: CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT), Mapletree Commercial Trust (MCT), Suntec REIT, Keppel REIT, and OUE Commercial REIT. Three have reported full year 2021 results. 
CICT is a diversified S-Reit which has 36.8 per cent of its portfolio value in office-related assets with a majority located in Singapore. It reported a full-year 2021 gross revenue exceeding S$1.3 billion and net property income of over S$951 million from its enlarged portfolio since the merger of CapitaLand Mall Trust and CapitaLand Commercial Trust in 2020.

CICT's office portfolio has seen average office rentals improve 2.6 per cent quarter on quarter to S$10.33 psf on Dec 31, 2021 and improving from S$10.27 psf on Dec 31, 2020. The Reit's office occupancy rate stands at 91.5 per cent and it notes that the gap between committed rents and expired rents is expected to narrow as office market rentals look to improve.

CICT's major new leases and renewals completed in Q4 2021 and January 2022 included GIC, Mabanaft and Satellite (International) Singapore, and the Reit aims to continue to backfill vacancy in the portfolio as well as manage leases expiring in 2022. 
Suntec Reit has 82.2 per cent of its diversified portfolio in the office sector. It reported a full year 2021 gross revenue of over S$358 million, increasing 13.5 per cent year on year, and a net property income of over S$254 million, expanding 27.4 per cent year on year.

Suntec Reit's 3 Singapore office properties - Suntec City Office, One Raffles Quay, and MBFC Towers 1 and 2 - have an overall occupancy rate of 97.5 per cent, improving from 97.0 per cent the year before and exceeding that of Singapore's Core CBD occupancy rate of 93.3 per cent. Rent reversions grew 3.2 per cent in 2021 and its top 3 new tenants in 2021 include sectors from technology, media and telecommunications, banking, insurance and financial services, and manufacturing &amp; distribution.

Suntec Reit expects the outlook for its Singapore office portfolio to improve in tandem with economic recovery and income contribution to increase driven by cumulative positive rent reversions achieved in the past 14 quarters. However, the Reit notes that high expiry rents may result in weak positive rent reversion.

Keppel Reit is a pure-play office S-Reit with 78.4 per cent of its portfolio in Singapore office assets. It declared full year net property income of over S$172 million, increasing 27.3 per cent year on year and driven by acquisitions of Keppel Bay Tower in Singapore and Blue &amp; William in North Sydney and divestment of 275 George Street in Brisbane.

Keppel Reit has an occupancy rate of 95.4 per cent and its tenant retention rate was 62 per cent for FY2021.

OUE Commercial Reit is due to report second half and financial year ended Dec 31, 2021 after trading hours on Feb 16, 2022.  REIT Watch is a weekly column on The Business Times,<a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/keppel-groups-s-reits-average-36-dpu-growth-for-fy2021"> </a><a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/s-reits-with-singapore-office-assets-sanguine-on-rental-outlook">read </a>the original version.
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    Singapore office assets


According to data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), office rental prices in Q4 2021 have improved by 0.9 per cent quarter on quarter. The improvement in Q4 2021 comes after a decline of 3.5 per cent in the previous quarter. On a year-on-year basis, office rents have improved by 1.9 per cent in 2021, after dipping over 8.5 per cent in 2020.

Office vacancy rates have also shown a slight improvement in the latest Q4 2021 at 12.8 per cent.  
Listed in Singapore are five S-REITs with significant exposure to local office assets: CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT), Mapletree Commercial Trust (MCT), Suntec REIT, Keppel REIT, and OUE Commercial REIT. Three have reported full year 2021 results.  
CICT is a diversified S-Reit which has 36.8 per cent of its portfolio value in office-related assets with a majority located in Singapore. It reported a full-year 2021 gross revenue exceeding S$1.3 billion and net property income of over S$951 million from its enlarged portfolio since the merger of CapitaLand Mall Trust and CapitaLand Commercial Trust in 2020.

CICT's office portfolio has seen average office rentals improve 2.6 per cent quarter on quarter to S$10.33 psf on Dec 31, 2021 and improving from S$10.27 psf on Dec 31, 2020. The Reit's office occupancy rate stands at 91.5 per cent and it notes that the gap between committed rents and expired rents is expected to narrow as office market rentals look to improve.

CICT's major new leases and renewals completed in Q4 2021 and January 2022 included GIC, Mabanaft and Satellite (International) Singapore, and the Reit aims to continue to backfill vacancy in the portfolio as well as manage leases expiring in 2022.  
Suntec Reit has 82.2 per cent of its diversified portfolio in the office sector. It reported a full year 2021 gross revenue of over S$358 million, increasing 13.5 per cent year on year, and a net property income of over S$254 million, expanding 27.4 per cent year on year.

Suntec Reit's 3 Singapore office properties - Suntec City Office, One Raffles Quay, and MBFC Towers 1 and 2 - have an overall occupancy rate of 97.5 per cent, improving from 97.0 per cent the year before and exceeding that of Singapore's Core CBD occupancy rate of 93.3 per cent. Rent reversions grew 3.2 per cent in 2021 and its top 3 new tenants in 2021 include sectors from technology, media and telecommunications, banking, insurance and financial services, and manufacturing &amp; distribution.

Suntec Reit expects the outlook for its Singapore office portfolio to improve in tandem with economic recovery and income contribution to increase driven by cumulative positive rent reversions achieved in the past 14 quarters. However, the Reit notes that high expiry rents may result in weak positive rent reversion.

Keppel Reit is a pure-play office S-Reit with 78.4 per cent of its portfolio in Singapore office assets. It declared full year net property income of over S$172 million, increasing 27.3 per cent year on year and driven by acquisitions of Keppel Bay Tower in Singapore and Blue &amp; William in North Sydney and divestment of 275 George Street in Brisbane.

Keppel Reit has an occupancy rate of 95.4 per cent and its tenant retention rate was 62 per cent for FY2021.

OUE Commercial Reit is due to report second half and financial year ended Dec 31, 2021 after trading hours on Feb 16, 2022.   REIT Watch is a weekly column on The Business Times, read the original version.



REIT Watch - S-Reits with Singapore office assets sanguine on rental outlook

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 <div class='content-caption'>Timeline of SREIT proposed and completed M&As since 2018</div>
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For S-Reits, listing on the exchange is the beginning of a journey. Twenty-four S-Reits had announced asset acquisitions valued at over S$15.3 billion and exceeding S$12.7 billion in total purchase consideration in 2021.

Aside from asset acquisitions, S-Reits have also been active in terms of mergers and acquisition (M&amp;A) opportunities. They have seen at least 5 consolidations since 2018 and could be seeing 2 more this year.

The 5 consolidated S-Reits since 2018 are CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (by CapitaLand Mall Trust and CapitaLand Commercial Trust), Frasers Logistics &amp; Commercial Trust (by Frasers Commercial Trust and Frasers Logistics &amp; Industrial Trust), Ascott Residence Trust (by Ascott Residence Trust and Ascendas Hospitality Trust), OUE Commercial REIT (OUE Commercial REIT and OUE Hospitality Trust), and ESR-REIT (by ESR-REIT and Viva Industrial Trust). 
Most recently announced on Dec 31, 2021 is the proposed merger between Mapletree Commercial Trust (MCT) and Mapletree North Asia Commercial Trust (MNACT) to form Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust (MPACT). 
The proposed merger is expected to propel the combined entity to be the seventh largest REIT listed in Asia with a market capitalisation of approximately S$10.5 billion. 
The combined portfolio will consist of 18 commercial assets diversified across Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea with assets under management (AUM) of approximately S$17.1 billion (per MCT’s AUM as of 30 September 2021 and MNACT’s AUM as of 31 October 2021). 
The proposed merger is expected to be effected by a trust scheme of arrangement with MCT acquiring all MNACT Units in exchange for new units in MCT or a combination of cash and MCT Units.

Reit managers of MCT and MNACT view the merger as an opportunity to bring together 2 leading commercial Reits with highly complementary qualities and see the combined portfolio in providing higher financial flexibility and debt headroom to accelerate its growth and acquisitions.

The new entity is also expected to benefit from the increased representation in key indices and potentially attract a wider investor base and improved trading liquidity.

Another proposed merger in progress is by ESR-Reit and Ara Logos Logistics Trust (ALOG) to form ESR-LOGOS REIT (E-LOG), with a core focus on new economy real estate. 
The combined entity, E-LOG, will hold a diversified portfolio of 87 properties consisting of logistics/warehouse, high-specifications industrial properties, business parks and general industrial properties with total assets of approximately S$5.4 billion across Singapore and Australia (as of 30 June 2021). 
Similarly, via a trust scheme, the proposed merger will see ESR-Reit acquire all units in ALOG in exchange for a combination of cash and new units in ESR-Reit.

Reit managers of ESR-Reit and ALOG have noted that the proposed merger will enhance E-LOG's growth trajectory backed by its sponsor, ESR Group, by providing access to the sponsor's new economy pipeline properties in Asia-Pacific worth over US$50 billion.  REIT Watch is a weekly column on The Business Times, <a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/s-reits-bigger-and-bolder-over-the-years">read </a>the original version.
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    Timeline of SREIT proposed and completed M&As since 2018


For S-Reits, listing on the exchange is the beginning of a journey. Twenty-four S-Reits had announced asset acquisitions valued at over S$15.3 billion and exceeding S$12.7 billion in total purchase consideration in 2021.

Aside from asset acquisitions, S-Reits have also been active in terms of mergers and acquisition (M&amp;A) opportunities. They have seen at least 5 consolidations since 2018 and could be seeing 2 more this year.

The 5 consolidated S-Reits since 2018 are CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (by CapitaLand Mall Trust and CapitaLand Commercial Trust), Frasers Logistics &amp; Commercial Trust (by Frasers Commercial Trust and Frasers Logistics &amp; Industrial Trust), Ascott Residence Trust (by Ascott Residence Trust and Ascendas Hospitality Trust), OUE Commercial REIT (OUE Commercial REIT and OUE Hospitality Trust), and ESR-REIT (by ESR-REIT and Viva Industrial Trust).  
Most recently announced on Dec 31, 2021 is the proposed merger between Mapletree Commercial Trust (MCT) and Mapletree North Asia Commercial Trust (MNACT) to form Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust (MPACT).  
The proposed merger is expected to propel the combined entity to be the seventh largest REIT listed in Asia with a market capitalisation of approximately S$10.5 billion.  
The combined portfolio will consist of 18 commercial assets diversified across Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea with assets under management (AUM) of approximately S$17.1 billion (per MCT’s AUM as of 30 September 2021 and MNACT’s AUM as of 31 October 2021).  
The proposed merger is expected to be effected by a trust scheme of arrangement with MCT acquiring all MNACT Units in exchange for new units in MCT or a combination of cash and MCT Units.

Reit managers of MCT and MNACT view the merger as an opportunity to bring together 2 leading commercial Reits with highly complementary qualities and see the combined portfolio in providing higher financial flexibility and debt headroom to accelerate its growth and acquisitions.

The new entity is also expected to benefit from the increased representation in key indices and potentially attract a wider investor base and improved trading liquidity.

Another proposed merger in progress is by ESR-Reit and Ara Logos Logistics Trust (ALOG) to form ESR-LOGOS REIT (E-LOG), with a core focus on new economy real estate.  
The combined entity, E-LOG, will hold a diversified portfolio of 87 properties consisting of logistics/warehouse, high-specifications industrial properties, business parks and general industrial properties with total assets of approximately S$5.4 billion across Singapore and Australia (as of 30 June 2021).  
Similarly, via a trust scheme, the proposed merger will see ESR-Reit acquire all units in ALOG in exchange for a combination of cash and new units in ESR-Reit.

Reit managers of ESR-Reit and ALOG have noted that the proposed merger will enhance E-LOG's growth trajectory backed by its sponsor, ESR Group, by providing access to the sponsor's new economy pipeline properties in Asia-Pacific worth over US$50 billion.   REIT Watch is a weekly column on The Business Times, read the original version.



REIT Watch - S-Reits: Bigger and bolder over the years

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 <div class='content-caption'>Greener REIT</div>
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According to the UN Environmental Programme, the real estate sector has one of the largest carbon footprints, contributing to 30 per cent of global annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and consumes around 40 per cent of the world's energy.

This explains the increasing focus on climate change issues and responsible investment practices.

SGX and UOB Asset Management have jointly launched the iEdge-UOB Apac Yield Focus Green Reit Index, an index which tracks the performance of 50 higher-yielding Reits in Asia-Pacific (Apac) with positive environmental attributes based on the GRESB assessment framework. 
GRESB is the global leader for ESG research of real assets, covering more than 1,500 property companies, Reits, funds and developers with US$5.7 trillion in assets under management. 
Out of the 50 constituents, nine are S-REITs &amp; Property Trusts: CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust, Mapletree Logistics Trust, Mapletree Industrial Trust, Mapletree Commercial Trust, Frasers Logistics &amp; Commercial Trust, Suntec REIT, Keppel REIT, Mapletree North Asia Commercial Trust, and Ascendas India Trust. 
The iEdge-UOB Apac Yield Focus Green Reit Index is the first index globally to go beyond using the overall GRESB score and focus on four key environmental indicators to determine the environmental attributes - energy consumption, water consumption, GHG emissions, and green building certifications. 
The index is expected to be fully investable and tradable, as Apac Reits are included into the index based on minimum size of US$1 billion in free-float market capitalisation, liquidity requirements of at least US$400,000 in median daily average traded value, dividend yield-ranking within market cap quartiles, and a minimum GRESB public disclosure score among others.

After which a green tilt is applied using the GRESB Real Estate Assessment environmental scores.

Reits that have more favourable environmental attributes will be rewarded with a higher weighting factor, compared to Reits that have relative lower environmental scores.

By applying the green portfolio tilt, the iEdge-UOB Apac Yield Focus Green Reit Index constituents emit 7 per cent less GHG, consume 12 per cent less water and 9 per cent less energy than the non-green market-cap weighted version of the index.

Green building certification by floor area is also 13 per cent for certifications obtained at the time of design, construction or renovation, and 10 per cent for operational green building certifications.

All constituent weights are capped at 7 per cent and overall country exposure capped at 40 per cent.

Japan makes up 40 per cent of the index, while Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong are at 36 per cent, 16 per cent and 8 per cent respectively.

The index has a trailing 12-month dividend yield of 4.25 per cent.

The UOB Apac Green Reit ETF, which has filed a prospectus with an expected listing on Nov 23, will track the iEdge-UOB Apac Yield Focus Green Reit Index.

The ETF has a target dividend distribution policy of up to 4 per cent of net asset value per annum on a quarterly basis.  REIT Watch is a weekly column on The Business Times,<a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/retail-and-hospitality-sector-s-reits-outperform-in-october"> </a><a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/nine-s-reits-in-yield-focus-index-based-on-positive-environmental-attributes">read</a><a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/retail-and-hospitality-sector-s-reits-outperform-in-october"> </a>the original version.
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    Greener REIT


According to the UN Environmental Programme, the real estate sector has one of the largest carbon footprints, contributing to 30 per cent of global annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and consumes around 40 per cent of the world's energy.

This explains the increasing focus on climate change issues and responsible investment practices.

SGX and UOB Asset Management have jointly launched the iEdge-UOB Apac Yield Focus Green Reit Index, an index which tracks the performance of 50 higher-yielding Reits in Asia-Pacific (Apac) with positive environmental attributes based on the GRESB assessment framework.  
GRESB is the global leader for ESG research of real assets, covering more than 1,500 property companies, Reits, funds and developers with US$5.7 trillion in assets under management.  
Out of the 50 constituents, nine are S-REITs &amp; Property Trusts: CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust, Mapletree Logistics Trust, Mapletree Industrial Trust, Mapletree Commercial Trust, Frasers Logistics &amp; Commercial Trust, Suntec REIT, Keppel REIT, Mapletree North Asia Commercial Trust, and Ascendas India Trust.  
The iEdge-UOB Apac Yield Focus Green Reit Index is the first index globally to go beyond using the overall GRESB score and focus on four key environmental indicators to determine the environmental attributes - energy consumption, water consumption, GHG emissions, and green building certifications.  
The index is expected to be fully investable and tradable, as Apac Reits are included into the index based on minimum size of US$1 billion in free-float market capitalisation, liquidity requirements of at least US$400,000 in median daily average traded value, dividend yield-ranking within market cap quartiles, and a minimum GRESB public disclosure score among others.

After which a green tilt is applied using the GRESB Real Estate Assessment environmental scores.

Reits that have more favourable environmental attributes will be rewarded with a higher weighting factor, compared to Reits that have relative lower environmental scores.

By applying the green portfolio tilt, the iEdge-UOB Apac Yield Focus Green Reit Index constituents emit 7 per cent less GHG, consume 12 per cent less water and 9 per cent less energy than the non-green market-cap weighted version of the index.

Green building certification by floor area is also 13 per cent for certifications obtained at the time of design, construction or renovation, and 10 per cent for operational green building certifications.

All constituent weights are capped at 7 per cent and overall country exposure capped at 40 per cent.

Japan makes up 40 per cent of the index, while Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong are at 36 per cent, 16 per cent and 8 per cent respectively.

The index has a trailing 12-month dividend yield of 4.25 per cent.

The UOB Apac Green Reit ETF, which has filed a prospectus with an expected listing on Nov 23, will track the iEdge-UOB Apac Yield Focus Green Reit Index.

The ETF has a target dividend distribution policy of up to 4 per cent of net asset value per annum on a quarterly basis.   REIT Watch is a weekly column on The Business Times, read the original version.



REIT Watch - Nine S-Reits in Yield Focus index based on positive environmental attributes

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 <div class='content-caption'>Retail SREIT</div>
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At over 80 per cent of the population, Singapore has one of the highest Covid-19 vaccination rates globally. Booster shots are also underway as part of efforts towards a progressive full reopening and strategy to treat Covid-19 as endemic.

Sectors such as retail, travel and hospitality remain poised to benefit in the long run as borders reopen progressively and social activities return.

Singapore is working on establishing a vaccinated travel lane with several countries including some European countries, the United States and South Korea. 
In the near term and somewhat physically closer to our homes, suburban malls have demonstrated relevance and resilience amid extended restrictions and Work-From-Home (WFH) trends with exposure to essential trades such as supermarkets and food and beverage outlets. 
There are five S-REITs with exposure to suburban-focused retail malls in Singapore – Frasers Centrepoint Trust, CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust, SPH REIT, Mapletree Commercial Trust, and Lendlease Global Commercial REIT through its 31.8 per cent indirect interest in JEM. These five have averaged 7.6 per cent in total returns in the year-to-date. 
These five have averaged 7.6 per cent in total returns in the year to date (YTD). 
Suburban malls are located near residential neighbourhoods and provide residents with necessities and convenience.

SPH Reit, which owns a portfolio of retail malls in Singapore and Australia, recently reported full-year fiscal year (FY) 2021 results.

Gross revenue increased 14.8 per cent year on year to S$277.2 million and net property income increased 11.4 per cent year on year to S$202.6 million.

Distribution per unit (DPU) for Q4 FY 2021 was 1.58 cents, bringing its full year DPU to 5.40 cents which is 98 per cent higher year on year and 3.6 per cent away from FY 2019's DPU (pre-Covid).

Despite softer leasing sentiments across its portfolio, SPH Reit noted that the defensive nature of suburban malls has supported tenant sales at The Clementi Mall, bringing it to pre-Covid levels and in line with resilient suburban malls' performances.

The Clementi Mall observed a 33 per cent decrease in footfall but a 5 per cent increase in tenant sales, mitigated by its close proximity to residential homes.

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust has a portfolio of suburban retail malls including Bedok Mall, Junction 8, Tampines Mall, and Westgate.

In the Reit's earlier first half (H1) 2021 results announcement, it noted that retail tenant sales continued to outpace shopper traffic, with both improving more than 104 per cent year on year on a low base effect.

H1 2021 tenant sales have recovered to 86.3 per cent against the 2019 average while shopper traffic was at 61.3 per cent against 2019.

Frasers Centrepoint Trust has a portfolio of nine Singapore suburban retail malls.

In its earlier business update, the Reit's tenant sales had recovered to near pre-Covid levels at end 2020 and in early 2021, despite being impacted in the third quarter (Q3) 2021 from April to June due to the tightened control measures during Phase 2 (Heightened Alert).

Mapletree Commercial Trust's VivoCity mall also noted year-on-year improvements in shopper traffic and tenant sales in Q1 FY21/22 but recovery momentum was disrupted by re-tightened Covid-19 measures.

Aside from SPH Reit, the rest of the S-Reits will be reporting quarterly results and business updates over the next few weeks.  REIT Watch is a weekly column on The Business Times,<a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/china-focused-s-reits-resilient-amid-onshore-property-focus"> </a><a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/suburban-focused-retail-s-reits-average-76-in-total-returns-ytd">read </a>the original version.
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    Retail SREIT


At over 80 per cent of the population, Singapore has one of the highest Covid-19 vaccination rates globally. Booster shots are also underway as part of efforts towards a progressive full reopening and strategy to treat Covid-19 as endemic.

Sectors such as retail, travel and hospitality remain poised to benefit in the long run as borders reopen progressively and social activities return.

Singapore is working on establishing a vaccinated travel lane with several countries including some European countries, the United States and South Korea.  
In the near term and somewhat physically closer to our homes, suburban malls have demonstrated relevance and resilience amid extended restrictions and Work-From-Home (WFH) trends with exposure to essential trades such as supermarkets and food and beverage outlets.  
There are five S-REITs with exposure to suburban-focused retail malls in Singapore – Frasers Centrepoint Trust, CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust, SPH REIT, Mapletree Commercial Trust, and Lendlease Global Commercial REIT through its 31.8 per cent indirect interest in JEM. These five have averaged 7.6 per cent in total returns in the year-to-date.  
These five have averaged 7.6 per cent in total returns in the year to date (YTD).  
Suburban malls are located near residential neighbourhoods and provide residents with necessities and convenience.

SPH Reit, which owns a portfolio of retail malls in Singapore and Australia, recently reported full-year fiscal year (FY) 2021 results.

Gross revenue increased 14.8 per cent year on year to S$277.2 million and net property income increased 11.4 per cent year on year to S$202.6 million.

Distribution per unit (DPU) for Q4 FY 2021 was 1.58 cents, bringing its full year DPU to 5.40 cents which is 98 per cent higher year on year and 3.6 per cent away from FY 2019's DPU (pre-Covid).

Despite softer leasing sentiments across its portfolio, SPH Reit noted that the defensive nature of suburban malls has supported tenant sales at The Clementi Mall, bringing it to pre-Covid levels and in line with resilient suburban malls' performances.

The Clementi Mall observed a 33 per cent decrease in footfall but a 5 per cent increase in tenant sales, mitigated by its close proximity to residential homes.

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust has a portfolio of suburban retail malls including Bedok Mall, Junction 8, Tampines Mall, and Westgate.

In the Reit's earlier first half (H1) 2021 results announcement, it noted that retail tenant sales continued to outpace shopper traffic, with both improving more than 104 per cent year on year on a low base effect.

H1 2021 tenant sales have recovered to 86.3 per cent against the 2019 average while shopper traffic was at 61.3 per cent against 2019.

Frasers Centrepoint Trust has a portfolio of nine Singapore suburban retail malls.

In its earlier business update, the Reit's tenant sales had recovered to near pre-Covid levels at end 2020 and in early 2021, despite being impacted in the third quarter (Q3) 2021 from April to June due to the tightened control measures during Phase 2 (Heightened Alert).

Mapletree Commercial Trust's VivoCity mall also noted year-on-year improvements in shopper traffic and tenant sales in Q1 FY21/22 but recovery momentum was disrupted by re-tightened Covid-19 measures.

Aside from SPH Reit, the rest of the S-Reits will be reporting quarterly results and business updates over the next few weeks.   REIT Watch is a weekly column on The Business Times, read the original version.



REIT Watch - Suburban-focused retail S-Reits average 7.6% in total returns YTD

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 <img src='https://api2.sgx.com/sites/default/files/2021-08/Capture_22.PNG' alt='10 best performing trusts' />
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 <div class='content-caption'>10 best performing trusts</div>
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The 10 best performing S-Reits and property trusts with over a 10-year listing history have averaged 12.5 per cent in 10-year annualised total returns. On an absolute basis across the 10-year period, these 10 trusts have generated total returns averaging 240 per cent as Reits continue to be an asset class of choice for the longer horizon.

Comparatively, the 10 have also outperformed major Asia-Pacific Reit markets which have yielded 10.3 per cent in average total returns for the same period. 
Of the 10, the top five trusts Mapletree Industrial Trust, Mapletree Logistics Trust, Mapletree Commercial Trust, ParkwayLife REIT and AIMS APAC REIT, were also among Asia Pacific’s 20 best performing REITs with a longer trading history. 
Three of these are S-Reits sponsored by Mapletree Investments, which owns and manages over S$66 billion of data centre, industrial, lodging, logistics, mixed-use, multifamily, office, residential and retail properties. 
Mapletree Industrial Trust (MINT) listed in October 2010 with an initial investment portfolio of 70 Singapore industrial properties valued at S$2.1 billion including business parks, flatted factories, stack-up/ramp-up buildings and light industrial buildings. 
Today, the trust has tripled in portfolio with assets under management of S$6.7 billion across 114 properties in Singapore and North America. In terms of asset mix, MINT has also diversified with acquisitions into high-tech buildings and data centres making up 20.9 per cent and 39.8 per cent respectively. Its latest acquisition of 29 data centres in the United States makes it one of the largest owners of data centres among Asia-Pacific Reits.

Mapletree Logistics Trust (MLT) was one of the first Mapletree Group S-Reits to be listed in July 2005 and was the first Asia-focused logistics Reit. Its portfolio of properties has swelled from 15 properties worth S$422 million to 163 properties worth S$10.7 billion across nine countries in the Asia-Pacific.

MLT now has a diversified tenant base of 752 customers with close to 75 per cent of its portfolio serving consumer-related sectors.

Mapletree Commercial Trust (MCT) listed in April 2011 with three properties located in Singapore valued at S$2.8 billion. Its enlarged portfolio value has since trebled and comprises five Singapore properties worth S$8.7 billion.

ParkwayLife Reit (PLife) listed in August 2007 with just three properties in Singapore - Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital and East Shore Hospital with a combined value of S$775 million. Fourteen years on, it has almost trebled its portfolio value at S$1.99 billion across 53 properties in Singapore, Japan and Malaysia and considers itself to be one of the largest listed healthcare Reits in Asia.

PLife recently completed its third strategic recycling initiative with a divestment of a non-core asset and acquired two nursing homes in Japan, increasing its geographical coverage and further diversification of age-care tenants.

Some may remember Aims Apac Reit as MacarthurCook Industrial Reit which listed in April 2007 with a portfolio of 12 industrial properties in Singapore valued at S$316 million.

The Reit has since rebranded itself in 2019 and has grown over five times in size with a portfolio value of S$1.7 billion across 28 properties in Singapore and Australia.

Its tenant base of 188 tenants has also diversified across the years, and include resilient sectors such as logistics and warehouses, bio-medical and life science, telecommunications and data centre operators accounting for seven out of its top 10 tenants. REIT Watch is a weekly column on The Business Times, <a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/10-s-reits-yielding-long-term-annualised-returns">read </a>the original version.
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    10 best performing trusts


The 10 best performing S-Reits and property trusts with over a 10-year listing history have averaged 12.5 per cent in 10-year annualised total returns. On an absolute basis across the 10-year period, these 10 trusts have generated total returns averaging 240 per cent as Reits continue to be an asset class of choice for the longer horizon.

Comparatively, the 10 have also outperformed major Asia-Pacific Reit markets which have yielded 10.3 per cent in average total returns for the same period.  
Of the 10, the top five trusts Mapletree Industrial Trust, Mapletree Logistics Trust, Mapletree Commercial Trust, ParkwayLife REIT and AIMS APAC REIT, were also among Asia Pacific’s 20 best performing REITs with a longer trading history.  
Three of these are S-Reits sponsored by Mapletree Investments, which owns and manages over S$66 billion of data centre, industrial, lodging, logistics, mixed-use, multifamily, office, residential and retail properties.  
Mapletree Industrial Trust (MINT) listed in October 2010 with an initial investment portfolio of 70 Singapore industrial properties valued at S$2.1 billion including business parks, flatted factories, stack-up/ramp-up buildings and light industrial buildings.  
Today, the trust has tripled in portfolio with assets under management of S$6.7 billion across 114 properties in Singapore and North America. In terms of asset mix, MINT has also diversified with acquisitions into high-tech buildings and data centres making up 20.9 per cent and 39.8 per cent respectively. Its latest acquisition of 29 data centres in the United States makes it one of the largest owners of data centres among Asia-Pacific Reits.

Mapletree Logistics Trust (MLT) was one of the first Mapletree Group S-Reits to be listed in July 2005 and was the first Asia-focused logistics Reit. Its portfolio of properties has swelled from 15 properties worth S$422 million to 163 properties worth S$10.7 billion across nine countries in the Asia-Pacific.

MLT now has a diversified tenant base of 752 customers with close to 75 per cent of its portfolio serving consumer-related sectors.

Mapletree Commercial Trust (MCT) listed in April 2011 with three properties located in Singapore valued at S$2.8 billion. Its enlarged portfolio value has since trebled and comprises five Singapore properties worth S$8.7 billion.

ParkwayLife Reit (PLife) listed in August 2007 with just three properties in Singapore - Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital and East Shore Hospital with a combined value of S$775 million. Fourteen years on, it has almost trebled its portfolio value at S$1.99 billion across 53 properties in Singapore, Japan and Malaysia and considers itself to be one of the largest listed healthcare Reits in Asia.

PLife recently completed its third strategic recycling initiative with a divestment of a non-core asset and acquired two nursing homes in Japan, increasing its geographical coverage and further diversification of age-care tenants.

Some may remember Aims Apac Reit as MacarthurCook Industrial Reit which listed in April 2007 with a portfolio of 12 industrial properties in Singapore valued at S$316 million.

The Reit has since rebranded itself in 2019 and has grown over five times in size with a portfolio value of S$1.7 billion across 28 properties in Singapore and Australia.

Its tenant base of 188 tenants has also diversified across the years, and include resilient sectors such as logistics and warehouses, bio-medical and life science, telecommunications and data centre operators accounting for seven out of its top 10 tenants.  REIT Watch is a weekly column on The Business Times, read the original version.



REIT Watch - 10 S-Reits yielding long-term annualised returns

Singapore

Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in a diversified portfolio of income-producing office and retail properties across key Asian gateway markets. Its portfolio includes commercial properties in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan, and South Korea. The trust is headquartered in Singapore and was formed in 2022.

Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust (MPACT SP)

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Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust (MPACT SP)

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The 10 best performing S-Reits and property trusts with over a 10-year listing history have averaged 12.5 per cent in 10-year...

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52-week Range

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