In Singapore, the suite of iEdge S-Reit Indices measures the performance of Reits listed on SGX. The suite comprises the iEdge S-Reit index, widely regarded as one of S-Reits' barometers, and a narrower subset of it, the iEdge S-Reit Leaders Index.

The iEdge S-Reit Leaders Index is a narrow, tradable, adjusted free-float market capitalisation weighted index that measures the performance of the most liquid trusts in Singapore. Constituents must be listed on SGX and classified under Reits as defined by the Factset Revere Business Industry Classification System. The trust must also have free float of at least 20 per cent and a free float market capitalisation of at least S$500 million.

All eligible trusts are screened for liquidity at the semi-annual rebalancing in March and September. To enter the iEdge S-Reit Leaders Index, eligible trusts must trade at least US$500,000 in daily turnover and a 0.10 per cent daily trading velocity of the free float market capitalisation.

To maintain an existing place, constituents must maintain US$400,000 in daily turnover and a 0.08 per cent daily trading velocity of the free float market capitalisation.

Following Lendlease Global Commercial REIT’s (LREIT) addition in March 2021, there are currently 27 constituents in the iEdge S-REIT Leaders Index.

LReit has a diversified portfolio comprising of a leasehold interest in, 313@somerset, a prime retail property located in Singapore and a freehold interest in Sky Complex, which comprises three grade-A office buildings located in Milan.

In October 2020, LReit acquired a 5.0 per cent stake in Lendlease Asian Retail Investment Fund 3, which indirectly holds a 75.0 per cent interest in Jem, an integrated office and retail development in Singapore.

Comparing total returns, the iEdge S-Reit Leaders Index (-0.9 per cent), proved to be more resilient than the broader iEdge S-Reit Index (-2.6 per cent) and the FTSE EPRA/Nareit Global Reits Index (-12.0 per cent) last year.

Though the iEdge S-Reit Leaders Index (+4.0 per cent) lagged the global benchmark (+25.1 per cent) in 2021 year-to-date, it outperformed in the long term. The five-year total returns of the iEdge S-Reit Leaders Index came in at 60.6 per cent versus FTSE EPRA/Nareit Global Reit Index's 28.2 per cent. This was mostly led by S-Reits with data centre, industrial, and healthcare assets.

The constituents with the highest five-year total returns include: Keppel DC REIT (+175.6 per cent), Mapletree Logistics Trust (+168.0 per cent), ParkwayLife REIT (+133.2 per cent), Mapletree Industrial Trust (+123.9 per cent) and Frasers Logistics and Commercial Trust (+113.8 per cent). Together, the five trusts make up approximately 36 per cent of the overall index weightage.

Products tracking the iEdge S-Reit Leaders Index include the SGX iEdge S-Reit Leaders Index Futures and the Syfe Reit+ portfolio.

REIT Watch is a weekly column on The Business Times, read the original version.