Income investors continually search for a dependable stock that pays out reliable dividends.
A great place to start is the REIT sector, as REITs are mandated to pay at least 90% of their earnings as distributions to enjoy tax benefits.
But you will do even better if you identify blue-chip REITs that are part of the Straits Times Index (SGX: ^STI).
These high-quality REITs can ensure that you have peace of mind to weather through tough economic conditions. They can also provide you with a steady income once you retire.
Here are four blue-chip REITs with strong attributes that can help you breeze through your retirement.
CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (SGX: C38U)
CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust, or CICT, is a retail and commercial REIT with a portfolio of 26 properties – 21 in Singapore, two in Germany, and three in Australia.
The REIT’s total assets under management (AUM) stood at S$25.9 billion as of 31 December 2024.
CICT is backed by a strong sponsor, real estate investment manager CapitaLand Investment Limited (SGX: 9CI), also known as CLI.
The REIT has consistently posted higher distribution per unit (DPU) since 2020.
For the first half of 2025 (1H 2025), this track record has continued.
Gross revenue and net property income (NPI) dipped by 0.5% and 0.4% year on year, respectively, because of the divestment of 21 Collyer Quay.
DPU, however, rose 3.5% year on year to S$0.0562.
CICT’s portfolio of properties also sees very high demand, as evidenced by positive rental reversions of 7.7% and 4.8% across its retail and office portfolios, respectively.
Its retail division also saw tenant sales and shopper traffic rise 17.9% and 23.8%, respectively, for 1H 2025.
The REIT’s portfolio occupancy stood high at 96.3% as of 30 June 2025.
CICT is embarking on two new asset enhancement initiatives (AEIs) to improve its portfolio.
The first is for Lot One Shoppers Mall and the second for Tampines Mall.
Both AEIs are targeting a return on investment (ROI) of around 7%.
CapitaLand Ascendas REIT (SGX: A17U)
CapitaLand Ascendas REIT, or CLAR, is an industrial REIT with a portfolio of 229 properties spread across Singapore, the US, Australia, the UK, and Europe.
As of 30 June 2025, the REIT’s AUM stood at S$16.8 billion.
Like CICT, CLAR is also supported by a strong sponsor in CLI.
The REIT reported a resilient set of earnings for 1H 2025 with gross revenue dipping 2% year on year to S$754.8 million.
NPI slipped 0.9% year on year to S$523.4 million.
DPU fell by 0.6% year on year to S$0.07477 because of a slight year-on-year increase in the total number of issued units.
CLAR also boasted healthy operating metrics despite facing persistent macroeconomic headwinds.
The REIT’s portfolio occupancy was healthy at 91.8% and the portfolio enjoyed a positive rental reversion of 9.5%.
The industrial REIT announced the yield-accretive acquisition of two Singapore properties back in May.
CLAR also has six ongoing projects worth S$498.4 million that seek to redevelop or refurbish properties within its portfolio to improve returns.
Keppel DC REIT (SGX: AJBU)
Keppel DC REIT is a data centre REIT with a portfolio of 24 data centres spread across 10 countries.
The total AUM of these data centres is around S$5 billion as of 30 June 2025.
Keppel DC REIT has a strong sponsor in asset manager Keppel Ltd (SGX: BN4), which also provides a ready pipeline of assets that can be injected into the REIT.
For 1H 2025, the data centre REIT delivered a sparkling performance.
Gross revenue climbed 34.4% year on year to S$211.3 million while NPI leapt 37.8% year on year to S$182.8 million.
DPU increased by 12.8% year on year to S$0.05133.
For 1H 2025, Keppel DC REIT reported a positive portfolio reversion of around 51%.
The manager plans to continue pursuing third-party acquisitions in Japan, South Korea and Europe with a focus on hyperscale data centres.
Meanwhile, the REIT is also undertaking a review of asset repositioning and power intensification opportunities for selected data centres to unlock value.
With artificial intelligence powering continued demand for data centres, the future looks bright for Keppel DC REIT.
Frasers Centrepoint Trust (SGX: J69U)
Frasers Centrepoint Trust, or FCT, is a retail REIT with a portfolio of nine suburban retail malls and an office building, all located in Singapore.
The REIT’s total AUM stood at around S$7.1 billion as of 31 March 2025.
FCT has a strong sponsor in Frasers Property Limited (SGX: TQ5), a developer and investor in real estate assets with total assets of around S$39.6 billion as of 30 September 2024.
For the first half of fiscal 2025 (1H FY2025) ending 31 March 2025, gross revenue and NPI rose 7.1% and 7.3% year on year to S$184.4 million and S$133.7 million, respectively.
DPU inched up 0.5% year on year to S$0.06054.
The retail REIT delivered a robust performance for its third quarter of fiscal 2025 (3Q FY2025) business update.
Retail committed portfolio occupancy stood high at 99.9% and the REIT also enjoyed a 2.1% and 4.4% year-on-year increase in shopper traffic and tenant sales, respectively, for the quarter.
FCT successfully completed the acquisition of Northpoint City South Wing, which should unlock value creation opportunities through AEIs, tenant mix strategies, and operational efficiencies.
Elsewhere, FCT also commenced the AEI of Hougang Mall in April 2025.
This AEI is targeted to be completed by September 2026 and has achieved approximately 74% leasing pre-commitment with several new-to-mall concepts introduced.
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Disclosure: Royston Yang owns shares of Keppel DC REIT.
