Also known as S-REITs, this sector is recovering from last year’s volatility, with more upside expected.

Why S-REITs?

Large size
Despite being a small country, Singapore is the second largest REIT market in Asia after Japan¹.

Healthy returns
S-REITs are a good investment tool for regular income, providing an average dividend yield of 7.6%². The 10-year total return was 62.9%², according to the FTSE ST REIT Index.

Important to Singapore
The S-REITs sector has a combined market capitalisation of $98B and makes up about 12 percent² of the Singapore Exchange’s (SGX) market capitalisation.

Global exposure
Over 90%² of S-REITs and property trusts hold overseas assets across Asia Pacific, South Asia, Europe and the US. There are 17 S-REITs² portfolios comprising entirely of overseas properties.

Sector diversified
S-REITs have well-diversified property sub-segments. including Industrials, Retail, Office, Hospitality, and Healthcare.

Good governance
The market benefits from a strong governance and regulatory framework. As a result, the market’s compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past 10 years is 7%.²

How does S-REITs yields compare to other asset classes?

* Source: SGX, based on 12M Average Dividend Yield
^ Source: SGX, based on 10 Year Yield
** Source: MAS, based on November 2022 statistics

S-REITs yields are high compared to other asset classes.

How correlated is S-REITs to other asset classes?

Note: Figures refer to price correlation. A correlation coefficient of 1 means that there is a perfect positive correlation between the two assets ie they can be expected to move exactly in tandem. A zero correlation coefficient implies that there is no linear relationship at all.

S-REITs has a relatively low correlation to global bonds and equities.

How did S-REITs perform in 2022?

2022 was a challenging year for the global REITs sector. Rate hikes and slowing global growth dampened sentiment in the sector. As a result, the FTSE ST REIT Index – the benchmark for S-REITs – fell by 10.7 percent in 2022, but still outperformed the global REITS sector, which fell close to 25 percent (based on the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global REIT Index).

However, REITs are making a comeback with solid fundamentals, the continued reopening of economies and expectations of lower interest rates. APAC REITs markets kicked off this year on a strong note, buoyed by China’s reopening and policy shifts.

Figure 1: Performance of REIT markets YTD % (as at 6 Feb 2023)

Which sub-sectors have performed well in the 2023 rally?

Figure 2: Performance of S-REITs YTD (by sector)

2022

YTD

Note: FTSE ST REIT Index – SG REITs. Source: Bloomberg, UOBAM as at 6 Feb 2023

The underperformers last year have seen a rebound recently. Specialised REITs are leading the pack with a 19.6% return YTD. All sub-sectors have recorded positive returns ranging from 6.0% to 19.6% YTD.

What is the outlook for S-REITs?

• We believe that the fundamentals and capital values of REITs are holding up well in Singapore. Despite the country’s subdued macroeconomic backdrop, property-level fundamentals and earnings growth across the sectors remain healthy thereby cushioning any downside risks.
• SREITs have robust operating metrics, with the strongest being the office and hospitality sectors, followed by the industrial sector, and lastly the retail sector.
• We believe strong SGD and resilient asset values would allow S-REITs to be seen as long-term inflation hedges.
• The steady asset values in Singapore are supported by stable cap rates and higher rents, which helps to mitigate the negative effect from cap rate expansion experienced by overseas assets, which leads to lower asset values.
• The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) implements a minimum interest coverage ratio (ICR) which determines whether a company can pay off its debts. Most S-REITs have an ICR that is comfortably above the minimum 2.5x imposed by the MAS, which means they have sufficient buffer to increase their leverage.
• A rate pause or cut in 2023 will provide greater clarity in terms of financing costs for S-REITs. This should lead to greater earnings visibility and dividend distributions.
• China’s earlier-than-expected reopening has provided a fillip to S-REITs, and the resumption of Chinese travel will help sustain the recovery, particularly for hospitality and retail REITs given the return of Chinese tourists.

Overall, we are constructive on the medium-term outlook and cautious on a near-term pullback. Our focus would be on S-REITs with earnings prospects as rate play and reopening fades. Valuation is supportive despite the rally with further upside, as the sector mean reverts.

¹REITAS, Overview of the S-REITs industry, December 2022

²SGX Group, Chartbook: SREITs & Property Trusts, January 2023