207 views
Photo from Shutterstock

REITs set to weather expected August market dip

In the past 14 years, the STI ended lower 12 times in August.

As August tends to be the weakest month for the Straits Times Index (STI), DBS analysts point out that REITs are relatively more resilient to the expected market correction.

According to DBS, this year should be no different, with Fed funds futures suggesting a rate cut in September.

“REITs will benefit as investors look for the first cut in interest rates, possibly in September,” DBS said.

DBS indicated that it foresees sideways volatility rather than a major correction from August to October, with valuations trending towards greater attractiveness.

“REITs benefit from interest rate transitioning from a high-for-longer to a gradually lower environment,” DBS said. 

“Companies with relatively higher gearing are also beneficiaries,” DBS added.

The seven REITs within the STI component stocks historically experience an average month-on-month dip of 1% and a 59% negative August frequency.

Ahead of rate cuts, DBS picked CapitaLand Ascendas REIT (CLAR), Mapletree Logistics Trust (MLT), Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust (MPACT), and Mapletree Industrial Trust (MINT)

Non-REITs which DBS said would likely shelter investors from the August pullback would be Venture Corporation, ComfortDelGro, Frasers Centrepoint Trust (FCT), SATS Limited, and Sembcorp Industries (SCI).

DBS highlighted that these five stocks meet at least three of the following criteria: a favourable August seasonal trend, a positive earnings outlook, being a rate cut beneficiary, and a buy recommendation with at least a 10% upside to the target price.

Join Singapore Business Review community

Follow the link for more news on

Join Singapore Business Review community
A NOTE FROM SINGAPORE BUSINESS REVIEW

You're the reader we write for. You're also the person our partners want to reach.

If that sentence describes you — a founder, a C-suite, someone whose attention companies pay good money for — then you already understand why SBR works. We've spent twenty years earning the trust of readers exactly like you. Which is exactly what makes this an interesting place for your company to show up, too.

The ways it can show up are broader than most people assume — thought leadership articles, sponsored content, industry summits across Southeast Asia, regional awards programmes, podcasts, and media placements in print and digital. The right fit depends on what you're trying to do, which is why we'd rather start with a conversation than send a rate card.

If your company has something this audience should know about, we'd like to hear what you're working on.

No rate cards until we understand the brief. It's a better use of everyone's time.