Core Insights - Singapore's blue-chip earnings season is critical as major companies prepare to report their financial performance, with a focus on sustainable dividend growth and operational metrics [1][2] CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT) - CICT has made significant investments, including acquiring a 55% stake in CapitaSpring for S$1.05 billion, and integrating ION Orchard to enhance its portfolio [3] - For the nine months ending September 2025, CICT reported gross revenue of S$1.19 billion and net property income (NPI) of S$874.2 million, reflecting modest year-on-year increases of 0.1% and 0.2% respectively [4] - Shopper traffic and tenant sales surged by 24.8% and 19.2% YoY, largely driven by ION Orchard, while excluding this asset, growth was more modest at 4.5% and 1.0% respectively [5] - CICT's leverage stands at 39.2% with an average cost of debt at 3.3%, raising concerns about whether NPI growth can outpace rising debt costs [6] Keppel Ltd - Keppel has transformed into an asset-light model, monetizing approximately S$2.4 billion in assets in the first nine months of 2025, totaling S$14 billion since late 2020 [7] - The M1 divestment is expected to unlock nearly S$1 billion in cash, highlighting the company's focus on shareholder returns [7] - Keppel's management aims to balance asset sales with generating recurring income to sustain dividends as one-off windfalls diminish [9] - An additional S$500 million in asset sales is targeted, with investor interest in how much cash will be reinvested versus distributed to shareholders [10] Singapore Exchange (SGX) - SGX reported a net revenue increase of 11.7% YoY to nearly S$1.3 billion, driven by a 49.7% surge in currency derivatives and an 18.7% rise in cash equities [11] - The board proposed a final quarterly dividend of S$0.105 per share, raising total FY2025 dividends to S$0.375, up from S$0.345 in FY2024, with a commitment to increase dividends by S$0.0025 quarterly through FY2028 [12] - SGX's performance is closely tied to market volatility and trading volumes, with the Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities segment being a key growth driver [13] - Maintaining revenue growth guidance of 6% to 8% is crucial for sustaining the dividend escalator [14] Investor Considerations - Upcoming earnings reports will focus on whether CICT's premium acquisitions yield premium returns, Keppel's monetization strategy can sustain dividends, and SGX's market activity supports its dividend growth [15][16]

Core Insights - Singapore REITs are facing high borrowing costs but are expected to benefit from a recent interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve, which may enhance growth prospects for well-managed REITs in 2026 [1][12] - Key factors for recovery include safety, quality, and steady cash flows, with some REITs positioned better than others to capitalize on these trends [1][12] Group 1: CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT) - CICT is Singapore's largest REIT with a portfolio valued at approximately S$26 billion, featuring high-end shopping malls and office buildings [3] - The REIT is expected to see a rise in distribution per unit (DPU) in 2026 due to the full-year contribution from the CapitaSpring acquisition and strong operating metrics, including a 97.2% occupancy rate as of Q3 2025 [4][5] - CICT maintains a leverage ratio of 39.2% and an interest coverage ratio of 3.5x, indicating effective debt management [4] Group 2: Frasers Centrepoint Trust (FCT) - FCT focuses on suburban retail malls, benefiting from essential spending and strong shopper footfall, with notable properties including NEX and Waterway Point [6] - The REIT is well-positioned for DPU growth in 2026, supported by increasing shopper traffic and a rental reversion rate of 7.8% for FY2025 [7] - FCT has a gearing ratio of 39.6% and 83.4% of its debts at fixed interest rates, which will help mitigate interest expenses following the recent rate cut [8] Group 3: Parkway Life REIT - Parkway Life REIT operates in the healthcare sector with a portfolio that includes hospitals in Singapore and nursing homes in Japan and France, featuring long-term master leases with annual rental increases of at least 1% [9] - The REIT is projected to increase its DPU by 27.6% year-on-year as it reaches Year 4 of its master lease agreement [10] - Parkway Life REIT has a low gearing ratio of 36% and a strong interest coverage ratio of 8.9 times, positioning it well for potential acquisitions [10]

Core Insights - The earnings season is approaching, with three blue-chip REITs set to report, providing a financial health check for dividend investors [1][2] - Each REIT faces unique challenges and opportunities, impacting their distribution sustainability and growth potential [2] CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT) - CICT is reporting on 28 October 2025, managing S$26 billion in assets, with a focus on the contribution from ION Orchard [3] - For the first half of 2025, CICT's Distribution Per Unit (DPU) increased by 3.5% year-on-year to S$0.056, aided by ION's contribution and lower interest costs [3] - Key metrics to watch include rental reversion momentum, which showed 7.7% for retail and 4.8% for office in 1H'25, and the impact of the acquisition of a 55% stake in CapitaSpring [4][5] Mapletree Logistics Trust (MLT) - MLT is also reporting on 28 October 2025, facing a 12.4% year-on-year DPU decline due to currency headwinds and challenges in China [6] - The trust manages S$13 billion in assets across 178 properties, with a critical focus on stabilizing distributions amid regional currency pressures [6] - Key signals to monitor include the negative 7.5% rental reversion in Mainland China and the overall occupancy rate of 93.0% [7][8] Mapletree Industrial Trust (MIT) - MIT is set to report on 30 October 2025, with a 4.7% DPU decline in 1Q'FY26, which is less severe when excluding divestment gains [9] - The trust, valued at S$9 billion, has a significant focus on data centers, with 54.8% of its portfolio allocated to this sector [10] - Important factors include the lease-up progress of the Osaka data center, Singapore's strong rental reversion of 8.2%, and the impact of capital recycling from recent divestments [11][12] Interest Rate Environment - All three REITs are positioned to benefit from falling interest rates, with CICT's borrowing costs dropping to 3.4% in 1H'25 [15] - The decline in interest rates is crucial for REITs with significant debt, as it can enhance distributable income [16][17] - Monitoring interest coverage ratios and the weighted average cost of debt will be essential in assessing the impact of this trend on future distributions [16][17]

Core Insights - CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT) has raised its distribution, resulting in a trailing annualised yield close to 5%, making it an attractive option for income investors [1][11] Background - CICT is Singapore's largest REIT with a diverse portfolio of 26 properties valued at S$27 billion as of December 31, 2024, primarily located in Singapore, with additional properties in Germany and Australia [1] Recent Performance - CICT's share price increased by 21% year-to-date to S$2.34, while revenue for the first half of 2025 decreased slightly by 0.5% YoY to S$787.6 million [3] - Net property income (NPI) also saw a minor decline of 0.4% YoY to S$579.9 million, but distributable income rose by 12.4% YoY due to improved performance and contributions from ION Orchard [3][4] - The distribution per unit increased by 3.5% YoY to S$0.0562 per share, maintaining steady growth post-COVID [4] Portfolio Composition - CICT's portfolio includes high-quality retail malls and prime office buildings located in Singapore's central business district [5][6] - The overall occupancy rate across its portfolio is 96.3% as of June 30, 2025, with strong tenant renewal rates of 81.8% for retail and 76.8% for office properties [6] - Retail properties contributed S$218.8 million in NPI, accounting for 37.7% of total NPI, while office properties contributed S$183.6 million, making up 31.7% of total NPI [8] Financial Strength - CICT has a low aggregate leverage ratio of 37.9% as of June 30, 2025, which is considered a strength [8] Investment Consideration - CICT is viewed as one of the safest and most liquid REITs in Singapore, with a distribution increase reflecting management's confidence in recovery and growth [11] - The REIT is recommended for investors seeking long-term stable income due to its solid yield and diversified portfolio [13]