Prime US REIT’s shares got pummeled more than 44% since the start of 2022. This Grade-A office Singapore REIT now trades at a whopping 14% dividend yield. You just don’t get to see this kind of yield for a US office REIT. Trending Credit Suisse — Triggering Another Financial Crisis? And Prime, right now, trades at its peak yield. The thing is, these US office Singapore REITS (including Manulife REIT, Keppel-Oak REIT and so on) were popular few years back because 1) they gave Singapore investors a good way tap into US offices’ steady rental income, and not getting hit with a 30% US withholding dividend tax. Also, 2) the low rates made investing in US offices highly favourable. Today, Prime is one of the worst Singapore REIT performers. And really, Prime shares’ lousy performance are really driven by two things here:

• Weak occupancy rate
• Potential squeeze in DPU

The question is — in spite of these risks unfolding into this REIT...