Singapore REITs Investment Forum with The Edge Singapore

 𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐓 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞 – 𝐀 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬

Honored to be part of this insightful REIT Investment Forum organized by The Edge Singapore, where industry leaders and experts came together to share diverse views on the evolving landscape of Singapore REITs.

Bridging the Confidence Gap: Building Trust in Overseas-Focused REITs

Over the past few years, I’ve observed a recurring theme whenever I speak with investors about overseas-focused REITs: the confidence gap.

When we look at Singapore-listed REITs with local assets, it feels natural—we can see the malls, walk through the offices, and even dine in the hotels. That familiarity builds comfort. But when it comes to REITs holding overseas properties, the same comfort is missing. Instead, questions arise:

• How do I know the assets are really of quality?

• What are the rules, taxes, and risks in those countries?

• Will foreign exchange wipe out my yield?

These concerns are valid. Yet, overseas REITs are also where investors can find diversification, resilience, and attractive long-term opportunities. The key lies in how trust is built and sustained between managers and investors.

1. The Familiarity Gap Is Real

Local properties are tangible. Investors know their value intuitively. With overseas portfolios, distance creates uncertainty. This “familiarity gap” is the biggest hurdle that global REITs must overcome.

The solution? Transparency and communication.
Managers need to go beyond quarterly reports—regular property updates, virtual site tours, tenant case studies, and even on-the-ground insights go a long way in helping investors see what they own.

2. Governance and Alignment Matter More Overseas

When investors cannot physically verify the properties, management credibility becomes the anchor of trust.

What investors want to see is clear alignment:

• Managers protecting DPU and yields.

• Prudent debt management with a clear refinancing roadmap.

• Honest, timely communication—especially in tough quarters.

When managers demonstrate alignment with unitholders, investors are more willing to back overseas expansion strategies.

3. Forex and Interest Rate Risks Can’t Be Ignored

Two of the biggest concerns for global REITs are currency volatility and rising refinancing costs.

• At the REIT level, the impact depends on how well operating income, debt, and distributions are matched in the same currency. Effective hedging strategies also reduce noise.

• At the investor level, Singapore investors must remember that distributions may be converted back into SGD—creating another layer of FX risk.

Rates are another layer. As we head into a potential rate cut cycle, borrowing costs may ease. But strategy shouldn’t swing entirely on rate outlooks—what matters is whether a REIT’s capital structure is resilient across cycles.

4. Yield Is the Outcome, Not the Thesis

Many investors chase high yields overseas, sometimes 8–10%. But yield alone should never be the reason to invest.

The real question: Is the DPU sustainable and growable?
Look deeper into:

• Lease expiry profile and tenant quality.

• Sector-specific risks in that geography.

• FX hedging and debt maturity ladders.

• The REIT’s ability to recycle capital or grow assets accretively.

A headline yield may be a signal, but it’s also a potential siren.

5. A Practical Investor Checklist

Before adding an overseas REIT into your income portfolio, I recommend asking:

1. Visibility: Do you have access to clear, updated information about the assets and tenants?

2. Governance: Does the manager communicate openly and align incentives with unitholders?

3. Currency Map: Are income, debt, and distribution currencies aligned? Is there a hedging policy?

4. Debt Profile: What does the refinancing ladder look like in the next 2–3 years?

5. DPU Drivers: Where will growth or stability come from?

6. Portfolio Fit: How does it add diversification in geography, sector, or currency?

Final Thoughts

Overseas-focused REITs will continue to be an important part of the Singapore market. They offer opportunities for diversification, growth, and attractive yields—but only when investors can invest with clarity and conviction.

As both an advisor and investor, I believe bridging the confidence gap requires effort on both sides. Managers must be more transparent and aligned; investors must adopt a structured framework to evaluate opportunities beyond our borders.

At REITsavvy, my mission is to help investors cut through the noise, ask the right questions, and build portfolios that are both resilient and income-generating.

Overseas investing isn’t about blind faith—it’s about informed confidence. And when that confidence is built, global REITs can become a powerful engine for long-term passive income.

Kenny Loh is a distinguished Wealth Advisory Director with a specialization in holistic investment planning and estate management. He excels in assisting clients to grow their investment capital and establish passive income streams for retirement. Kenny also facilitates tax-efficient portfolio transfers to beneficiaries, ensuring tax-efficient capital appreciation through risk mitigation approaches and optimized wealth transfer through strategic asset structuring.

In addition to his advisory role, Kenny is an esteemed SGX Academy trainer specializing in S-REIT investing and regularly shares his insights on MoneyFM 89.3. He holds the titles of Certified Estate & Legacy Planning Consultant and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP).

With over a decade of experience in holistic estate planning, Kenny employs a unique “3-in-1 Will, LPA, and Standby Trust” solution to address clients’ social considerations, legal obligations, emotional needs, and family harmony. He holds double master’s degrees in Business Administration and Electrical Engineering, and is an Associate Estate Planning Practitioner (AEPP), a designation jointly awarded by The Society of Will Writers & Estate Planning Practitioners (SWWEPP) of the United Kingdom and Estate Planning Practitioner Limited (EPPL), the accreditation body for Asia.

You can join his Telegram channel #REITirement – SREIT Singapore REIT Market Update and Retirement related news. https://t.me/REITirement