OREANDA-NEWS. The five SGX-listed companies going ex-dividend this week are Soilbuild Business Space REIT, First REIT, Sabana Shariah Compliant Industrial REIT, Cordlife Group and Guocoland. The five plays consist of three REITs, one Real Estate Management & Development company and one Healthcare Providers & Services company, categorised according to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®).

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) raise capital to purchase primarily real estate assets, usually with a view to generating income for unit holders of the fund. It allows individual investors to access real property assets and share the benefits and risks of owning a portfolio of properties, which typically distribute income at regular intervals. REITs tend to have higher distribution yields, as it is mandatory for them to distribute 90% of their taxable income to enjoy tax-exempt status.

Recent Performance

The five companies have a combined market capitalisation of S$4.8 billion, and trade at an average price-earnings (P/E) and price-to-book (P/BV) ratio of 11.0 and 1.2 respectively. In the year thus far, they generated a total return of 13.9%, taking their one-year and three-year total returns to 9.6% and 46.8% respectively.

As of Friday’s close, the five companies traded at an average of 22.5% above their 12-month lows and 13.4% below their 12-month highs. The two that were trading closest to their 12-month lows were Sabana Shariah Compliant Industrial REIT and Guocoland.

The stocks are tabled below and sorted according to ex-dividend dates. Note that clicking on a stock name will take you to its relevant page on StockFacts.

Source: SGX StockFacts (data as of 16 October 2015)

Source: SGX StockFacts (data as of 16 October 2015)

Dividend Yields

Together, the five companies average a 5.4% indicative dividend yield. The highest yields are currently maintained by Sabana Shariah Compliant Industrial REIT and Soilbuild Business Space REIT. Of the five, the three REITs currently pay dividends on a quarterly basis.

Soilbuild Business Space REIT last went ex-dividend on 21 July with a 0.99 cent distribution per unit, First REIT last went ex-dividend on 24 July with a 2.07 cent distribution per unit and Sabana Shariah Compliant Industrial REIT last went ex-dividend on 27 July with a 1.8 cent distribution per unit.

Source: SGX (data as of 16 October 2015)

Soilbuild Business Space REIT

Soilbuild Business Space REIT engages in the investment of various real estate properties for business space purposes, as well as real estate-related assets in Singapore. Its property portfolio comprises 10 business space properties - two business park properties and eight industrial properties. Soilbuild REIT is managed by SB REIT Management and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Soilbuild Group Holdings.

First REIT

First REIT is a REIT fund launched and managed by Bowsprit Capital Corporation Limited. It invests in the real estate markets of Asia including Indonesia, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Hong Kong. The fund seeks to invest in the diversified portfolio of real estate related assets operating healthcare and/or healthcare-related purposes. The trust has a portfolio of 16 properties comprising 12 located in Indonesia, three in Singapore and one in South Korea. As of 30 September 2015, the properties are collectively valued at over S$1 billion.

Sabana Shariah Compliant Industrial REIT

Sabana Shariah Compliant Industrial REIT is a Shariah compliant equity real estate investment trust launched and managed by Sabana Real Estate Investment Management Pte Ltd. The fund invests in the real estate markets of Asia. It seeks to invest in income-producing real estate properties operating in the industrial sector. Sabana REIT's portfolio comprises 23 industrial properties across Singapore, and is divided into four main categories, namely high-tech industrial, chemical warehouse & logistics, warehouse & logistics, and general industrial.

Cordlife Group

Cordlife Group provides cord blood and cord lining banking services in Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Banking and Diagnostics. The company’s cord blood banking services involve the processing and storage of stem cells. It also offers newborn screening services for metabolic disorders.

GuocoLand

GuocoLand engages in the development, investment, and management of various properties. It operates through GuocoLand Singapore, GuocoLand China, GuocoLand Malaysia, and GuocoLand Vietnam segments. The company develops residential, hospitality, commercial, retail, and integrated properties; rents properties; and operates and manages hotels and resorts. It also offers management, marketing, and maintenance services.