Application properties as static variables or instance variables with singleton

I need to read application properties from a .properties file to a class which should work as a single point to application properties. For such a class what is the recommended way: define those properties as static variables or as instance variables with singleton pattern?

I have a myapp.properties file in format key=value. Suppose there are 2 application properties defined in this file:

Company=ABC

BatchSize=1000

On application startup I will be reading this file into a class ApplicationProperties. I will be using this class whenever I need to use application properties.

I have 2 options:

Option 1: Define the application properties as static variables:

public class ApplicationProperties {
   private static String COMPANY;
   private static int BATCH_SIZE;

   static {
      // read myapp.properties file and populate static variables COMPANY & BATCH_SIZE
   }

   private ApplicationProperties() {}

   public static String getCompany() {
      return COMPANY;
   }
   public static int getBatchSize() {
      return BATCH_SIZE;
   }
}

Option 2: Define the application properties as instance variables:

public class ApplicationProperties {
   private static ApplicationProperties INSTANCE = new ApplicationProperties();

   private String company;
   private int batchSize;

   private ApplicationProperties() {
      // read myapp.properties file and populate instance variables company & batchSize
   }

   public static ApplicationProperties getInstance() {
      return INSTANCE;
   }

   public String getCompany() { 
      return this.company;
   }
   public int getBatchSize() {
      return this.batchSize;
   }
}

For Option 1 I would be accessing this way:

ApplicationProperties.getCompany();
ApplicationProperties.getBatchSize();

For Option 2 I would be accessing this way:

ApplicationProperties.getInstance().getCompany();
ApplicationProperties.getInstance().getBatchSize();

Which is preferable? And why?

If this question has been answered before please point to the answer.

Thanks