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Industrial market sees recovery
Industrial activity was observed to be relatively robust as strata sales and vacancy rates improve gradually but uncertainties remain.
In Q4/2020, the economy contracted by 2.4% YoY, moderating from the 5.8% contraction in Q3/2020. This was largely attributed to the 10.3% YoY expansion in the manufacturing sector, extending the 11% growth in Q3. The growth was led by output expansion in the electronics, biomedical manufacturing, precision engineering and chemicals cluster. Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic still took a toll with Singapore’s economy contracting by 5.4% in 2020, a reversal from the 1.3% expansion in 2019. However, the manufacturing sector posted growth of 7.3%, in contrast to the 1.5% contraction in 2019. This was supported by expansion in the biomedical manufacturing, electronics and precision engineering clusters, arising from strong demand for pharmaceutical products, semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment respectively. With the pickup in manufacturing demand following the reopening of the economy, the manufacturing sector ended on a positive note in 2020. In December, the overall Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) remained in expansionary mode for a sixth straight month. Similarly, manufacturing output grew by 14.3% YoY in December, bringing overall growth to 7.3% in 2020. The expansion in December was supported by the electronics, chemicals and precision engineering. On the other hand, after an increase of 6.5% in Q3/2020, non-oil domestic exports (NODX) recorded a 0.5% YoY decline in Q4/2020. Nevertheless, NODX expanded by 4.3% in 2020, a reversal from the 9.2% drop in 2019. Despite global economic uncertainties, the overall growth in 2020 was led by increased shipments of electronics and non-electronics products.
Download the Report Read MoreWhilst the consumption tax hike enacted in October created some unease during the final months of 2019, there was plenty of encouragement heading into the new decade. Indeed, with the Tokyo Olympics on the horizon, property sectors exposed to inbound tourism were particularly upbeat. All the while, the relative stability of Japan’s political and economic landscape continued to appeal to investors. This optimism quickly faded amid the onset of COVID-19, however, and one of Japan’s longest post-war economic expansions was stopped in its tracks. Whilst the country has managed the virus relatively well, a somewhat long road to recovery is expected given its modest potential GDP growth rate.
As for sector performance, the suspension of international travel has completely reversed the fortunes of the previously encouraging retail and hospitality sectors. In contrast, the structural changes brought on by the proliferation of e-commerce has thrust the logistics sector into the spotlight. Both the residential and office sectors, meanwhile, are going through some significant changes, and these varying reactions to the pandemic are also echoed in the J-REIT markets. Specifically, a recent correction in logistics-focused J-REITs notwithstanding, likely in response to the sector overheating, premiums remain significantly higher than its peers. Concurrently, the stark contrast between hard assets and listed vehicles, may reflect different views on sector prospects or give arbitrage opportunities to shrewd investors.
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