Distribution hikes are a sign of confidence

Article Excerpt

These two REITs focus mainly on retail shopping malls, which adds risk. However, their high-quality properties continue to attract new tenants and help retain existing ones. As a result, both REITs recently raised their distributions. RIOCAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $18 is a buy. The REIT (Toronto symbol REI.UN; Cyclical-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing sector; Units outstanding: 300.5 million; Market cap: $5.4 billion; Dividend yield: 6.2%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Average; www.riocan.com) owns all or part of 188 shopping centres and other properties across Canada, including nine under development, three of which are 100% owned, while the other six are co-owned. Its occupancy rate is 97.4%. With the March 2024 payment, RioCan raised your monthly distribution by 2.8%, to $0.0925 a unit from $0.09. The new annual rate of $1.11 yields a high 6.2%. Its payout ratio in 2023 was 60.5%. The REIT continues to benefit from its 2017 strategy to focus on six major urban markets—Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. RioCan generates 93% of rents…