OREANDA-NEWS. July 27, 2015. There are a total of 28 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and six stapled trusts listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX). A number of these trusts not only invest in property assets located in Singapore, but also those located in Japan, Mainland China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and Europe.

REITs with Mainland China Exposure

Singapore REITs have a strong presence in Mainland China – of the 34 trusts, nine have exposure to the region. According to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), three of the nine are categorised to the Industrial sub-segment, two to Retail, one to Diversified REITs, one to Hotel & Resort, another to Residential, and the final one to the Office sub-segment.

These nine trusts have a combined market capitalisation of S\\$19 billion and trade at a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.8. In the year thus far, they have averaged a price gain of 2.0%, with dividends boosting total returns to 5.3%. Their one-year and three-year total returns were 7.2% and 35.3% respectively. The REITs also maintain an average indicative dividend yield of 6.0%, which is double the Singapore Fixed Income (SFI) Index yield of about 2.99%.

The five best performers in terms of total returns in the year-to-date were Starhill Global REIT (+13.4%), Mapletree Greater China Commercial Trust (+9.2), Ascott Residence Trust (+7.4%), Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust (+5.1%), and Ascendas Hospitality Trust (+4.5%).

The nine REITs in the table below are sorted according to dividend-adjusted year-to-date returns. Click on the name of the REIT to view its full profile on SGX StockFacts.

Source: SGX StockFacts (Data as of 22 July 2015)

The three REITs trading closest to their 12-month highs are Ascott Residence Trust, Starhill Global REIT, and Cache Logistics Trust.

Source: SGX StockFacts (Data as of 22 July 2015)

Starhill Global REIT

Starhill Global REIT invests primarily in retail and office assets in Japan, Singapore, and China. Its portfolio includes 10 properties consisting of two in Singapore, one in Chendu, China, and seven in Tokyo, Japan. The company was formed on August 8, 2005 and is based in Singapore. Starhill Global REIT is due to release its earnings for the financial year ended 30 June 2015 on 29 July 2015.

For the quarter ended 31 March 2015 financial results, please click here.

Mapletree Greater China Commercial Trust

Mapletree Greater China Commercial Trust engages in the investment of various estate properties for commercial purposes in the Greater China Region. It invests in real estate properties for retail and/or office purposes in addition to other real-estate related assets. The company is based in Singapore. Mapletree Greater China Commercial Trust is due to release its earnings for the quarter ended 30 June 2015 after trading hours on 31 July 2015.

For the year ended 31 March 2015 financial results, please click here.

Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust

Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust invests in business and science park properties, industrial properties/data centres, light industrial properties/flatted factories, logistics & distribution centres, as well as warehouse retail facilities within Singapore and China. The company was formed on October 9 2002 and is based in Singapore.

For the year ended 31 March 2015 financial results, please click here.

Ascott Residence Trust

Ascott Residence Trust invests in real estate and real estate-related assets, which are used as serviced residences or rental housing properties in the Asia-Pacific region. Its portfolio consists of 14 properties located in Singapore, China, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The company was formed in 2006 and is based in Singapore.

For the year ended 31 December 2014 financial results, please click here.

Ascendas Hospitality Trust

Ascendas Hospitality Trust is involved in the investment of real estate predominantly used for hospitality purposes across Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The company was formed in 2012 and is based in Singapore.