Nikko STI ETF RSP (Dec 2013)

I bought 1 lot of Nikko STI ETF at $3.12 today for my regular savings plan for the month of December 2013. Details of all transactions for my rsp are logged here:
 http://madstranger.blogspot.sg/2013/07/nikko-sti-etf.html

Snap shot of current units:

Total Units	Total Cost	Average cost	Last Done	Profit/ Loss	% Gain / Loss
600	$1927.52	$3.21253	$3.11	-$61.52	-3.19%

To SRS or not to SRS

Last year, I posted about why I do not agree with putting money into the Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) account.
Old post: http://madstranger.blogspot.sg/2012/12/tax-relief-using-srs.html

I had 2 concerns:
1) possible higher income tax rates in the future
2) increase in withdrawal age

Only recently, I realised that the withdrawal age is actually "locked-in" after your first SRS contribution.

The IRAS webpage (http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page04.aspx?id=1170) stated that: 
You can withdraw your SRS monies over 10 years from the date of your first penalty-free withdrawal. Withdrawals are penalty-free only if they take place after the statutory retirement age that was prevailing at the time of your first SRS contribution. The statutory retirement age for all SRS members is currently at 62.

It makes more sense to perform your "first SRS contribution" early to "lock-in" the retirement age earlier before it increases later. For example, if one is to perform his first top-up now, his penalty free withdrawals can start at the age of 62. However, say he decides to start his first top up a few years later and the statutory retirement age is increased to 65 then, his penalty free withdrawal can only start at 65.

Theoretically, even if you do not have the intention to top up the full amount of $12750 now, I believe you can top up a nominal amount as a first top up to lock in the withdrawal age. The IRAS page did not state any minimum amount for this first top up.

With this, one of my earlier concerns on increase in withdrawal age is addressed. I have made my first top up for my SRS account today. As of my other concern on rising tax rates, I need to monitor any tax rates changes in the future.

In the event that there are any major negative changes in the future, I will have to decide if I want to pay the 5% penalty for any early withdrawal. In the meanwhile, I am likely to top up my SRS account on a yearly basis.

REIT Ranking - Nov 2013

REIT ranking for Nov 2013:

REIT	Mkt	Yield	NAV	Gearing	P/B	Total	P/B score	Gearing score	Yield score
LippoMalls	$0.405	8.593%	$0.453	28.20%	0.894	6	2	2	2
SoilbuildBizREIT	$0.760	7.934%	$0.800	29.40%	0.950	6	2	2	2
AIMSAMPI Reit	$1.505	7.309%	$1.520	25.20%	0.990	6	2	2	2
Cambridge	$0.695	7.141%	$0.696	27.90%	0.999	6	2	2	2
Fortune Reit HK$	$6.290	5.266%	$9.730	20.10%	0.646	6	3	2	1
AscendasHT	$0.740	7.622%	$0.760	35.80%	0.974	5	2	1	2
CACHE	$1.135	7.432%	$0.970	29.20%	1.170	5	1	2	2
OUE HT	$0.880	7.194%	$0.903	33.20%	0.975	5	2	1	2
Saizen REIT	$0.920	6.848%	$1.220	38.00%	0.754	5	3	1	1
Frasers Comm	$1.245	6.627%	$1.570	37.70%	0.793	5	3	1	1
CapitaRChina	$1.410	6.362%	$1.450	25.80%	0.972	5	2	2	1
SuntecReit	$1.545	5.878%	$2.030	37.20%	0.761	5	3	1	1
CapitaComm	$1.485	5.448%	$1.640	29.50%	0.905	5	2	2	1
Sabana REIT	$1.090	8.661%	$1.060	37.50%	1.028	4	1	1	2
AscottREIT	$1.185	7.543%	$1.380	41.10%	0.859	4	2	0	2
Far East HTrust	$0.870	6.483%	$0.953	31.60%	0.913	4	2	1	1
Ascendasreit	$2.240	6.429%	$1.899	29.70%	1.180	4	1	2	1
CDL Htrust	$1.630	6.423%	$1.580	28.10%	1.032	4	1	2	1
FrasersCT	$1.785	6.123%	$1.770	27.60%	1.008	4	1	2	1
Starhill Gbl	$0.785	6.115%	$0.860	30.60%	0.913	4	2	1	1
SPHREIT	$0.990	5.071%	$0.890	27.30%	1.112	4	1	2	1
Viva Ind Tr	$0.780	8.706%	$0.740	40.90%	1.054	3	1	0	2
MapletreeInd	$1.350	7.319%	$1.110	36.20%	1.216	3	0	1	2
MapletreeLog	$1.055	6.900%	$0.920	34.40%	1.147	3	1	1	1
Kep REIT	$1.180	6.627%	$1.250	43.90%	0.944	3	2	0	1
MapletreeGCC	$0.895	6.246%	$0.976	40.10%	0.917	3	2	0	1
CapitaMall	$1.935	5.251%	$1.680	34.80%	1.152	3	1	1	1
First REIT	$1.095	6.776%	$0.906	33.40%	1.209	2	0	1	1
MapletreeCom	$1.215	5.929%	$1.070	40.80%	1.136	2	1	0	1
PLife REIT	$2.230	4.771%	$1.550	35.20%	1.439	1	0	1	0

For how the scores are being calculated:
Reit Rankings - Mad Stranger's scoring system

Disclaimers:

The score system only serves as an indicator on how the REIT is with respect to its yield, P/B and gearing. The ranking is also heavily dependent on the accuracy of the data shown on reitdata.com, investors are advised to do your own cross checking. It is always prudent to do your own research before making any buys or sells.