Lower distribution is more sustainable

Article Excerpt

H&R REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $16 is also a buy. The trust (Toronto symbol HR.UN; Cyclical-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing sector; Units o/s: 286.9 million; Market cap: $4.6 billion; Distribution yield: 4.3%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Average; www.hr-reit.com) owns 464 properties: 32 office buildings, 322 retail developments, 86 industrial buildings and 24 residential properties. The REIT is also developing six new projects (five residential and one industrial). Its overall occupancy rate is a high 93.6%. Due to COVID-19, H&R cut its monthly distribution by 50% with the May 2020 payment, to $0.0575 a unit from $0.115. The new annual rate of $0.69 nonetheless yields a high 4.3%. It also represents a more sustainable 54% of the trust’s cash flow. In the first quarter, H&R collected 96% of its rents, including 100% of the rents for its industrial properties. H&R REIT is a buy. buy…