As 2023 draws to a close, some Singapore-listed real estate investment trusts (S-Reits) have been taking steps that will help boost their balance sheets ahead of the financial year end. Over the past week, five Reits have announced various actions, including raising equity, paring down debt, as well as asset divestments. Active capital management has been a priority for Reit managers this year, amid heightened investor attention on gearing levels, with higher interest rates putting pressure on valuations. While regulatory requirements allow S-Reits to have a gearing limit of 45 to 50 per cent – depending on their interest coverage ratio – managers often seek to keep gearing levels within the psychological barrier of 40 per cent that some investors have.