The iEdge S-Reit Index recovered 2.5 per cent in total returns over the past 5 sessions (Feb 25, 2022 through to Mar 3, 2022), after a 2 per cent decline seen last Thursday (Feb 24) as global markets saw major moves amid the market volatility.

Despite the dip, the iEdge S-Reit Index has returned 0.6 per cent in total returns for the whole period from Feb 24, 2022 through to Mar 3, 2022.

This means it outperformed the FTSE EPRA Nareit Asia ex-Japan Index which declined 0.7 per cent during the same period.

Within the S-Reit sub-sectors, gainers were led by the specialised, healthcare and office Reits while decliners were led by hospitality, retail and diversified Reits.

During the period, institutional investors have been a key driver in S-Reits' fund flow activities, accumulating net institutional inflows of S$30.4 million.

Retail investors on the other hand, net sold S$42.6 million for the sector.

In terms of sub-sectors, institutional flows were driven by inflows seen in diversified S-Reits (+S$16.7 million), specialised/data centre S-Reits (+S$6.9 million), and office S-Reits (+S$6.7 million).

The largest retail outflows were seen in diversified S-Reits (-S$22.8 million), office S-Reits (-S$6.6 million), and industrial S-Reits (-S$5.5 million).

On a year-to-date basis, S-Reits have seen a 2 per cent decline, against the Straits Times Index's 4.4 per cent total returns, while the FTSE EPRA Nareit Asia ex-Japan Index has seen a decline of 2.3 per cent.

Interest rates continue to be a key focus for the sector, as expectations of a rate hike grow.

As the earnings season concludes for the sector, broad based distribution per unit growth and healthy occupancy rates remain a common theme.

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