Some of the most obvious defensive plays are real estate investment trusts (Reits), which get their income from collecting rents in the properties they own.

Several Singapore-listed Reits, or S-Reits, have reported their full-year or quarterly results in the last week or so, with all showing better payouts.

Analysts say Reits appear as an attractive option to investors looking for a more stable and diversified portfolio.

'The market could remain volatile for a while, and I think investors should include Reits as part of their portfolios for a more balanced approach,' said Mr Wilson Liew, a property analyst at Kim Eng Research.

'Prices of most Reits have tumbled with the rest of the market, making their distribution yields very attractive at this point in time,' he added.

Read the full story in tomorrow's edition of The Sunday Times.