Singaporeans as a whole tend to be yield-hungry investors. This is reflected in the number of people who both took on Hyflux’s perpetual bonds (which later on became chains) as well as the enormous draw of REITs as an investment vehicle – this can be seen in the share price of so-called “good sponsor” REITs, which has been on an upward tear this year.

Mapletree Commercial Trust, for example, has gained 50% Year to date.

The big question is this -> is picking a high-yielding REIT really going to help your portfolio performance?

If you have everything (and I do mean everything) inside Mapletree Commercial Trust, good on you. Your portfolio has gained 50% year to date. Being all in on it would have meant that you foresaw Trump’s antics sending investors panicking into yield havens and into premium top class REITs beyond the usual business performance backing the share