SPH: A REIT investment.

It was almost a year ago when I mentioned in a blog post that investing in SPH could be better than investing in a retail S-REIT. Then, in March this year, news that SPH could establish a REIT sent its share price rocketing. Yesterday, more details were released and we could see a SPH sponsored REIT by July 2013.

From what is available in the news, SPH will hold 70% of the REIT. This is good news for the future REIT unit holders because a sponsor with a big share of units is more likely to have its interests aligned with those of smaller unit holders.

So, how will SPH shareholders benefit from this? The most obvious benefit is a special dividend of 18c per share, post IPO. A longer lasting benefit is ownership of an SPH with an even stronger balance sheet with NAV increasing and net gearing reducing, both significantly.

In terms of income, post IPO, SPH will receive a 70% share of income distributions from the proposed REIT and will also collect a fee as the manager of the REIT.

For me, as a shareholder, apart from doing nothing and collecting dividends which is pretty much what I have been doing for so many years, I will also look at possibly making an application at the IPO of the REIT.

I like the assets (i.e. Paragon and Clementi Mall). I like the sponsor. I like how the sponsor will retain a 70% stake in the REIT. Next, I will need to know the estimated distribution yield and gearing. If they compare favourably to established retail S-REITs, then, I will be making a beeline for the nearest ATM.

The last I checked, the distribution yield of established retail S-REITs ranges from 4.5% for CMT to 5.2% for FraserCT. Gearing ranges from 30.5% for Starhill Global to 40.9% for Mapletree Commercial.

So, if SPH REIT were to offer a distribution yield closer to 6% and with a gearing closer to 30%, Mr. Market should respond more favourably.

It seems that boring SPH has become a more exciting investment.

Related post:
SPH: Better investment than retail S-REITs.

The mystical art of wealth accumulation!

The wall next to my desk doesn't need a fresh coat of paint because it is pasted over with notes, cards and newspaper cuttings! 

Someone told me that if everyone was like me, the wallpaper companies would go out of business.




Today, I took down some of the "wallpaper" and I found a newspaper article I cut out in the year 2003. 

It was about ST Engineering, a company which I have been a shareholder of for more than 10 years by now.

Here is the article in question:

Today, ST Engineering's stock trades at $4.17 a share and it has been paying out dividends annually without fail since I first became a shareholder. 

I cannot remember how much exactly from year to year but, off the top of my head, an average of 15c annually in dividend per share cannot be too wrong.

This is one investment I have fond memories of and not only because the dividends it paid funded my annual holidays in Japan and Korea for many years in a row.

In case you are wondering, yes, I am still holding on to those shares I bought at $1.55 a piece more than 10 years ago.




What would have happened if I had decided to spend all that money all those years ago on a brand new luxury watch instead of investing in ST Engineering? 

Isn't there something to be said about delaying gratifications and investing for income?

Many times, people are sceptical about what I have achieved. 

Well, they can be sceptical all they want but once they are determined to make an improvement to their personal finances, once they try out some of the ideas I have blogged about, they will see for themselves that the magic that AK has, they have it in them too. 

Suddenly, it isn't so mystical after all.




Remember that AK has done it and you can do it too!

Related posts:
1. The very first step to becoming richer.
2. Do not love unless it is worth the loving.
3. Why a wealthy nation cannot afford to retire?
4. 7 steps to passive income from the stock market.
5. Create more passive income with limited capital.