Acquisitions lower RioCan’s risk

Article Excerpt

RIOCAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $27 (Toronto symbol REI.UN; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Units outstanding: 300.1 million; Market cap: $8.1 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 4.8; Dividend yield: 5.2%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.riocan.com) is Canada largest real estate investment trust (REIT), with 294 retail properties, including 11 under development. It also owns 52 malls in the U.S. RioCan continues to expand beyond suburban big-box-style malls. It recently formed a joint venture with Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (Toronto symbol AP.UN) to redevelop certain properties in Toronto as mixed-use office, retail and residential complexes. The REIT has also agreed to pay $362 million for an enclosed shopping centre and 50% of another mall, both in southern Ontario. Enclosed malls now supply 16.1% of its Canadian rental revenue. Expanding by acquisition adds risk. However, purchases like these lower the trust’s exposure to consumer spending. RioCan is also increasing its focus on major cities. As part of this strategy, it aims…