Should Veteran Investors Still Be looking at REITs Singapore Now in 2018?

REITs are the most coveted assets Singapore investors have been attracted to owing to their high yields (as much as 6.5% per annum) outsmarting and outperforming their other cousins viz FD’s, shares and bonds.

Now, let us take a look at the current  S-REIT report card:

In the year-to-date, the SGX S-REIT Index, comprising all REITs listed in Singapore, has declined close to 6.3% on average. This is offset by its 6.5% per annum yield that the REITs pay out on average.

A similar decline was witnessed in all three REIT ETFs listed in Singapore – the Lion-Phillip S-REIT ETF (declining 6.8% in year-to-date 2018); Nikko AM-Straits Trading Asia Ex-Japan REIT ETF (declining 6.3% in year-to-date 2018); and the Phillip SGX APAC Dividend Leaders REIT ETF (declining 5.5% in year-to-date 2018).

Many investors are considering the global route. Before you decide to join the bandwagon, think it over. We live in volatile times, times of political instability, Governments get married and then divorced in no time figuratively that taxation rules vary.

So, what should you do?

There is an epigrammatic response to that. Is to ignore the report card.

REIT’s – Invest and rest.

Do not let their short-term performance break your heart.

REITs are about the future.

Especially for REITs, passive investing with an eye on the bullish market for the long term is the key. The real estate may be the tortoise in the game these days, but the future is quite starry. The economy these days is on the path to growth with a demand for more office spaces, hiked rents and higher occupancy rates. If it gains momentum, you as a veteran investor may want to ride on the strong operating fundamentals. Under the Singapore REITs market, REITs have to give back 90% of their taxable income to shareholders as annual dividends, you would ride the crest at that point in time.

Now, if you think that economies grow at different rates and there is an advantage in investing in an international REIT, let me tell you, when the economy grows as a whole, we cannot decouple ourselves.

REIT’s – Look backward and step forward

When it comes to REITs, use your hindsight and foresight both. Look at historical data. Compare the dividend yields with returns from other fixed income securities like corporate bonds etc. REITs have always performed well under similar economic conditions, better than their counterparts. Singapore-REITs have provided an annualized total return of 8.4 percent over the past five years, nearly double the 4.4 percent return of the benchmark Straits Times Index (STI).

Cherry pick the best performing REIT’s

The overall REIT equity returns might not be something to boast about, a closer look shows that some of them have outperformed the others.

Healthcare is one. Retail is another.

According to Lee Brenan, principal, Cuningham Group” A silver tsunami” is coming. The growing numbers of ageing seniors are going to change the face of the housing and health care. The ripple effect is going to be in Singapore too. The statistic shows a projection of the ageing population in Singapore from 2015 to 2035. In 2035, the percentage of the population of Singapore above the age of 65 is forecasted to be at 31.74 percent. This population would not like to grow old just looking at other people. They would like to live in the same houses they live in and also expect care outside of a hospital setting. This calls for a boom in real estate at a very different level. A confluence of ambulatory services on a retail strip.  This would also accelerate the demand for senior living, assisted living and communities that encompass movie theatre, residential complex and wellness and prevention centers.

Add an international REIT to diversify your portfolio.

Diversify by going global.

Real estate is a comparatively local business. While it may be in doldrums in one country, it may be galloping in the other. Also, it can hedge against inflation. Real estate would always build value over time in spite of secular currency depreciation. Observe and understand the dynamics.

You should minimize the risk by shopping across the globe. Since global REITs do not only have a low correlation with the rest of your portfolio but also with your current real estate ownership, they would be the best choice in case you wish to diversify your portfolio. Owing to their ease of use and global acceptance, they are a compelling opportunity for you to get more return for every unit of risk you take.