What would a CapitaLand-Mapletree merger mean for S-Reits in their respective stables?

[SINGAPORE] There seems to be little doubt now that the US Federal Open Market Committee will announce a rate cut at its coming meeting from Sep 16 to 17.

This could add to the backdrop of softening interest rates in Singapore, and reinforce the chorus of bullish calls on locally listed real estate investment trusts (S-Reits).

The excitement may also spur speculation of corporate action by the sponsor groups of some leading S-Reits to better position them for long-term growth. In particular, it might reignite market talk of a possible merger of the CapitaLand and Mapletree groups, and what that would mean for the S-Reits within their corporate stables.