Interest costs fall for S-Reits in Q1, but US tariffs cloud outlook

[SINGAPORE] Interest costs eased for more Singapore-listed real estate investment trusts (S-Reits) in the first quarter of FY2025, even as looming US tariffs cast a shadow over their prospects for the second half of the year.

Nearly three-quarters of S-Reits saw flat to moderate interest cost declines in Q1 compared to a year ago, said Vijay Natarajan, an analyst with RHB Bank, following the release of S-Reits’ Q1 results and business updates.

Singapore-focused S-Reits had the largest drop in interest costs, with Far East Hospitality Trust (FEHT) , OUE Reit and Sasseur Reit among those that had the largest quarter-on-quarter declines.