The earnings season is starting with a bang, and Mapletree Logistics Trust (SGX: M44U), or MLT, is the first REIT to report its results in 2023. The industrial REIT has just reported its fiscal 2023’s third quarter (3Q2023) earnings ending 31 December 2022. Investors are closely eyeing the REIT sector due to a combination of negative factors such as inflation and surging interest rates. With higher overall costs, it’s natural to worry whether REITs can maintain or even increase their distribution per unit (DPU). MLT has done admirably as it posted a slightly higher year on year DPU while also maintaining healthy operating metrics. Here are five salient highlights from the logistics REIT’s latest quarterly earnings. 1. A resilient set of financials Gross revenue rose 8% year on year for 3Q2023 to S$180.2 million, underpinned by accretive acquisitions made in the previous fiscal year and 1Q2023. Net property income (NPI) increased 7.3% year on year to S$157.2 million and DPU inched up 1.9% year...