Asset sales improve its outlook

Article Excerpt

DREAM OFFICE REIT $24 (Toronto symbol D.UN; Cyclical-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio; Manufacturing sector; Units outstanding: 59.8 million; Market cap: $1.4 billion; Dividend yield: 4.2%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Average; www.dream.ca) launched a three-year strategic plan in 2016. That strategy includes selling non-essential properties in order to realize their full market value. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, overall revenue dropped 37.4%, to $69.7 million from $111.3 million a year earlier. Cash flow per share fell 16.7%, to $0.40 from $0.48. The declines reflect the sale of properties. By the end of the latest quarter, the REIT’s total number of properties was down to 34 from 46 a year earlier. However, now that Dream has completed its restructuring, it has a strong balance sheet and a high-quality office portfolio. Its remaining properties focus on big urban markets, especially downtown Toronto. Properties in that city now comprise 66% of assets. Dream Office REIT is a top pick for 2018. 2018…