In the first half of 2023, the iEdge S-REIT Index gained 2.1 per cent in total return terms, after a challenging 2022 which saw it decline 12 per cent.

Retail investors continued to be a key driver in S-REITs fund flow activities in H1 2023, accumulating net retail inflows of S$389 million, while institutional investors saw net outflows of S$485 million. A similar trend was seen a year ago during H1 2022 when the sector booked S$443 million of net retail inflows and S$360 million net institutional outflows.

By sub-segments, data centre S-REITs received the most institutional net inflows and retail net outflows in H1 2023, at S$26 million and S$43 million respectively. On the other hand, diversified S-REITs saw the most institutional net outflows during the period at S$348 million, while seeing S$280 million of net retail outflow.

Keppel DC REIT was the best performing S-REIT in the first half of 2023 with 25 per cent total returns. It also received the most net institutional inflows in H1 2023 of S$36 million. This was a reversal from a year ago, during H1 2022, where institutional investors were net sellers of the stock with net outflows of S$120 million.

Keppel DC REIT’s Q1 2023 net property income grew 6.3 per cent, translating to a 3 per cent growth in distribution per unit for the period. It believes that data centre demand will continue to be driven by long-term trends such as adoption of cloud computing and digital transformation initiatives. It is expected to report H1 2023 results on Jul 24, 2023.

Paragon REIT booked the second largest net institutional inflows of S$20 million in H1 2023. Institutional investors continued to be net buyers of the REIT following net inflows of S$1 million in H1 2022.

Aside from Paragon REIT, CapitaLand Ascott Trust and Sabana Industrial REIT also saw significant net inflow from institutional investors in both the H1 2023 and H1 2022 periods.

CapitaLand Ascott Trust received net institutional inflows of S$17 million and S$41 million in H1 2023 and H1 2022 respectively while Sabana Industrial REIT received net institutional inflows of S$5 million and S$9 million in H1 2023 and H1 2022 respectively.

S-REITs which received the most net inflows from retail investors in H1 2023 were Suntec REIT at S$140 million, Lendlease Global Commercial REIT at S$57 million and Keppel REIT at S$52 million. Lendlease Global Commercial REIT booked net inflows from retail investors during the year-ago period as well, receiving S$11 million in H1 2022.

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