Outlook for REITs in 2010.

I came across some video clips on YouTube where professionals talked about the outlook for REITs in 2010.  Some make good sense and I would like to share a couple of clips here with you:


 
I like their advice on how we should focus on the balance sheets of REITs as well as their acknowledgement that a low gearing level is safer in case real estate values are revised downwards again.  Can't usually go wrong being conservative when it comes to gearing.  For those of us who are in the know, treat this as a reminder.



Re-capitalisation exercises hit REITs big time in Singapore in 2009.  Off the top of my head, I remember forking out more money for MI-REIT and FCOTs' rights.  Re-capitalisation exercises have strengthened REITs and with the improving credit market, with funds more readily available at lower cost, I rather think that REITs will continue to do well in 2010 and 2011. 

What do I look out for in a REIT?  Low gearing, high yield and preferably trading at a discount to NAV.

Saizen REIT: Obvious uptrend.

Saizen REIT is in an obvious uptrend channel.  The closing in of the 100dMA and 200dMA indicates the formation of a stronger support level at 15c thereabouts.  It also suggests a lack of volatility in the longer term.  Thin trading volume as price goes sideways usually means more downward bias. 

However, given the trend of the longer term MAs, the downside is very limited from current levels.  Any upward push in price will meet with initial resistance at 17c and if this is overcome, the recent high of 18c might be tested.  I would accumulate on dips.

Please remember that I am investing in Saizen REIT due to its very cheap valuation and potentially high yield.  This is not a trade for me and I could hold this for a very long time.

AusGroup, Healthway Medical and Golden Agriculture.

AusGroup closed at 57c today on low volume.  This is the second black candle day in a row experienced by AusGroup on low volume while the two preceding white candle days happened with relatively higher volume.  This is a positive.  The MFI has formed a higher low while the MACD continues to pull higher away from the signal line after forming a bullish crossover three sessions ago.  Any continuing attempt to move higher will have to overcome resistance provided by a declining 20dMA which is at 59c today.

Golden Agriculture closed at 55c on the back of lower volume, forming a doji in the process.  It was unable to break a down trending resistance line.  MACD is above zero and MFI formed a higher low, indicating positive momentum and a stronger buying momentum.  However, these are lagging indicators and in a situation where the trend is weak or short lived, they must be treated with care.  The target remains at 59c in the event that immediate resistance is taken out.  The rising 100dMA is still rising and if the price should retreat closer to this level once more, I will buy more.

Healthway Medical's trading volume expanded slightly as it formed a gravestone doji, closing half a cent higher at 15.5c.  MACD seems poised to cross the signal line and zero at the same time, more or less.  This is a very bullish sign.  MFI has moved decisively out of the oversold territory and has more room to move up.  If volume expands meaningfully with a continuing push upwards in price, we could probably see price pushing 17.5c and even retest the previous high of 18.5c. 

Portfolio strategy: Undervalued high yield counters.

As the stock market seems set on moving sideways with thinning volume, a downward bias is definitely stronger.  Over time, even the most optimistic bulls will turn cautious and every rally attempt will see stale bulls reducing their exposure.  

This is likely to continue until only the really longer term holders remain or when institutional buying interest returns in a meaningful way (read upward price movement with higher trading volume) or both.

As the high beta stocks turn quiet, the more boring high yielding counters might start to look more interesting.  After all, achieving 10% yield per annum is not too shabby.  

I am now looking to increase my investments in AIMS AMP Capital REIT (AA REIT) and Lippo Mapletree Indonesian Retail Trust (LMIR).  It is no secret that I like these REITs.  Their fundamentals are sound and they have attractive yields.

Using TA to look for entry points, it is obvious that the upward momentum in LMIR is over for now.  The 20dMA seems poised to form a dead cross with the 100dMA soon.  MFI has formed a higher low but with volume thinning, it is unlikely that LMIR is about to form a new high in price.  Chances are higher that the price will continue declining and the rising 200dMA (at 44c today) should provide a stronger support.  I would accumulate if price falls to 46c and lower.

For AA REIT, MFI has been going in and out of oversold territory since late January.  Like LMIR, it lacks upward momentum.  However, its low was formed at 19.5c in early December. 

Psychologically, this is very fresh in the minds of investors.  20.5c is a many times tested support and resistance level and I expect this to be a strong support in the absence of selling pressure.  If this support breaks, 20c is likely to be a much stronger support and would be a great price to accumulate more units of AA REIT at.

Saizen REIT tried to rally today as it reached a high of 17c, only to fall back to close at 16c, forming a gravestone doji in the process.  The fact that this attempt to move higher took place on the back of higher volume and failed is not positive.  Nonetheless, with the longer term moving averages still moving up and being in close proximity to each other, together with the absence of selling pressure, the downside is likely to be limited.  As I have a sizeable investment in Saizen REIT already, I would only accumulate further on dips.

Related posts:
Aims Amp Capital Industrial Reit.
Lippo Mapletree Indonesia Retail Trust.
Saizen REIT: Long-term buy.