Consumer return to mall spurs RioCan

Article Excerpt

While rising interest rates have increased the appeal of bonds and hurt REITs in the past year, RioCan remains an excellent way for investors to earn income. The trust continues to benefit as shoppers return to its malls, which should give it more room to raise distributions. Its new mixed-use developments also cut its long-term risk. RIOCAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $22 is a buy. The REIT (Toronto symbol REI.UN; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Units outstanding: 309.9 million; Market cap: $6.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 5.3; Distribution yield: 4.6%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.riocan.com) owns all or part of 198 shopping centres and other properties across Canada, as well as 11 projects in active development. Its overall occupancy rate is a high 97.3%. In October 2017, RioCan shifted its focus on six major urban markets: Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Those cities now supply 93.0% of its rental revenue, up from 76.0% in 2017. The REIT’s revenue fell 1.0%, from $1.16 billion in…