0343 GMT - Keppel REIT's expansion into Australian retail likely reflects the limited inorganic growth opportunities in the office sector, says Morningstar's Xavier Lee in a note. He notes the lack of high-quality, attractively-priced office assets in Singapore, while acquisitions into the Australian office market are less appealing due to high vacancy rates. The mall that Keppel REIT is buying a majority stake in focuses on nondiscretionary retail, which likely offers defensive characteristics and could help mitigate the office sector's cyclical risks, the analyst adds. Keppel REIT remains Morningstar's top sector pick. Morningstar maintains its fair value estimate at S$1.16. Units are down 1.9% at S$1.01.(megan.cheah@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
October 08, 2025 23:43 ET (03:43 GMT)
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