Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are popular for generating income from real estate without buying properties directly.
In Singapore, known as S-REITs, they benefit from strong regulations and consistent performance. S-REITs must distribute at least 90% of taxable income as dividends, appealing to income-focused investors.
This article will explore the top 10 S-REITs, highlighting their key features and investment merits based on criteria like market capitalization, dividend yield, portfolio quality, financial performance, and management quality.
Criteria for Selection
To curate this list of the top 10 S-REITs, several critical factors were considered:
| Aspect |
Description |
| Market Capitalisation |
Reflects the size and liquidity of the REIT, indicating its stability and investor confidence. |
| Dividend Yield |
The annual dividend payout relative to the share price, crucial for income-focused investors. |
| Portfolio Quality |
A diversified portfolio with high occupancy rates is essential for sustaining revenue. |
| Financial Performance |
Metrics such as revenue growth, net property income (NPI), and distribution per unit (DPU) growth provide insights into the REIT's operational efficiency. |
| Management Quality |
The experience and track record of the management team play a vital role in the REIT’s success. |
Top 10 REITs in Singapore
REIT 1: CapitaLand Ascendas REIT
- Sector: Industrial
- Key Properties: Ascendas Xchange, 1 Science Park Drive
- Market Capitalisation: Approximately SGD 16 billion
- Dividend Yield: Around 5.5%
- Key Strengths: Strong tenant base across various sectors; high occupancy rates; strategic locations.
- Key Considerations/Risks: Exposure to economic cycles impacting industrial demand; potential lease expiries.
REIT 2: Mapletree Industrial Trust
- Sector: Industrial
- Key Properties: Mapletree Business City, Singapore Cyberhub
- Market Capitalisation: Approximately SGD 6 billion
- Dividend Yield: Around 5.3%
- Key Strengths: Diversified tenant mix; strong demand for data centres.
- Key Considerations/Risks: Vulnerability to technological changes affecting data centre demand.
REIT 3: CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust
- Sector: Retail/Commercial
- Key Properties: Raffles City Singapore, Plaza Singapura
- Market Capitalisation: Approximately SGD 11 billion
- Dividend Yield: Around 4.8%
- Key Strengths: Prime retail locations; strong foot traffic; diversified retail portfolio.
- Key Considerations/Risks: Retail sector challenges due to e-commerce growth; economic downturn impacts on consumer spending.
REIT 4: Keppel DC REIT
- Sector: Data Centres
- Key Properties: Keppel DC Singapore 1, Keppel DC Dublin 1
- Market Capitalisation: Approximately SGD 3 billion
- Dividend Yield: Around 4.7%
- Key Strengths: Strong demand from cloud service providers; high occupancy rates.
- Key Considerations/Risks: Regulatory risks in different jurisdictions; competition in data centre space.
REIT 5: Frasers Centrepoint Trust
- Sector: Retail
- Key Properties: Causeway Point, Northpoint City
- Market Capitalisation: Approximately SGD 3 billion
- Dividend Yield: Around 5.2%
- Key Strengths: Strong community-centric malls; high tenant retention rates.
- Key Considerations/Risks: Dependence on local consumer spending patterns; competition from online retail.
REIT 6: Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust
- Sector: Office/Commercial
- Key Properties: Suntec City Mall, One Raffles Quay
- Market Capitalisation: Approximately SGD 4 billion
- Dividend Yield: Around 4.6%
- Key Strengths: Strategic location in the CBD; diversified tenant base.
- Key Considerations/Risks: Office space demand fluctuations; potential economic downturn impacts on commercial leasing.
REIT 7: Manulife US Real Estate Investment Trust
- Sector: Office (US)
- Key Properties: One Financial Plaza, Houston; The Plaza at Legacy West, Dallas
- Market Capitalisation: Approximately SGD 1.5 billion
- Dividend Yield: Around 5.8%
- Key Strengths: Exposure to the US market with strong economic fundamentals; diversified portfolio.
- Key Considerations/Risks: Currency risk due to USD exposure; geopolitical risks affecting US markets.
REIT 8: Ascott Residence Trust
- Sector: Hospitality/Serviced Apartments
- Key Properties: Somerset Orchard Singapore, Citadines Connect Sydney Airport
- Market Capitalisation: Approximately SGD 2 billion
- Dividend Yield: Around 4.2%
- Key Strengths: Diverse geographic footprint; strong recovery post-pandemic.
- Key Considerations/Risks: Vulnerability to travel restrictions; economic cycles affecting tourism.
REIT 9: Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust
- Sector: Healthcare
- Key Properties: Parkway East Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital Singapore
- Market Capitalisation: Approximately SGD 2 billion
- Dividend Yield: Around 4.5%
- Key Strengths: Stable cash flows from healthcare properties; long lease terms with reputable tenants.
- Key Considerations/Risks: Regulatory changes in healthcare policies; reliance on hospital performance metrics.
REIT 10: Sabana Shari'ah Compliant Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust
- Sector: Industrial
- -Key Properties: Sabana Tech Park, Eightrium@Chai Chee
- -Market Capitalisation: Approximately SGD 800 million
- -Dividend Yield: Around 7%
- -Key Strengths: Compliance with Shari'ah principles attracting a niche market segment.
- -Key Considerations/Risks: Limited diversification due to sector focus; potential regulatory scrutiny on Shari'ah compliance.
Factors to Consider When Investing in S-REITs
Investing in S-REITs comes with its own set of considerations:
Interest Rate Environment: Rising interest rates can impact borrowing costs for REITs and potentially reduce their attractiveness compared to fixed-income investments.
Economic Outlook: Economic conditions directly influence different sectors of REITs. For instance, retail and hospitality sectors may suffer during economic downturns while industrial and data centre sectors may remain robust.
Sector-Specific Risks: Each sector has unique risks that can affect performance. For example, retail is facing challenges from e-commerce while industrial properties may benefit from logistics growth.
Diversification: It’s crucial to diversify across various sectors and types of properties within your portfolio to mitigate risks associated with any single investment type.
Due Diligence: Conduct thorough research before investing in any S-REIT. Assess their financial health, management quality, and market position carefully.
How to Invest in S-REITs
Investing in S-REITs can be done through various methods:
Through Brokerage Accounts: Investors can buy and sell S-REITs listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) through brokerage accounts like DBS Vickers or OCBC Securities.
REIT ETFs: For those seeking diversification without picking individual stocks, investing in REIT Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) can be an excellent alternative.
| ETF Name |
Focus |
Dividend Yield |
Distribution Frequency |
Expense Ratio |
| Lion-Phillip S-REIT ETF (SGX: CLR) |
Invests exclusively in high-quality S-REITs listed on the Singapore Exchange. |
Approximately 5.97% per annum |
Semi-annual |
0.60% per annum |
| NikkoAM-StraitsTrading Asia ex Japan REIT ETF (SGX: CFA) |
Provides exposure to a diversified portfolio of REITs across Asia, excluding Japan. |
Approximately 5.93% per annum |
Quarterly |
0.55% per annum |
These funds pool money to invest in a basket of different REITs, spreading risk across multiple assets.
Conclusion
S-REITs present an attractive investment opportunity for those seeking regular income and capital appreciation through real estate exposure.
The top ten listed above offer a range of sectors and strengths that cater to different investment strategies and risk appetites.
Before making any investment decisions, it is essential to conduct thorough research and consider your individual financial goals and risk tolerance.
Consulting with a financial advisor can provide tailored insights that align with your investment strategy.
Hear more from Dividend Titan, Willie Keng on his take about S-REIT
Let us know what you think about this topic, and what do you want to hear next.
You can now be our community contributor and make a pitch to have your favourite personality be on our show.
Join our community group and drop us your insights on this topic.