The minimum ICR requirement will not be considered breached if a REIT’s ICR falls below the threshold of 1.5 times due to circumstances beyond the manager’s control.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has published a consultation paper to subject all REITs at all times to a minimum interest coverage ratio (ICR) threshold of 1.5 times and aggregate leverage limit of 50%, compared to the current rule that only REITs that intend to raise their aggregate leverage from 45% to 50% would need to meet the ICR requirement of at least 2.5 times.
“MAS proposes that a minimum ICR threshold of 1.5 times apply at all times to all REITs. This underscores the responsibility of REIT managers in ensuring that REITs can adequately service debt obligations, including having sufficient earnings to pay their interest expenses as they fall due,” the MAS says in its consultation paper.
