Savvy buy for Primaris

Article Excerpt

PRIMARIS REIT, $13.23, is a buy. The trust (Toronto symbol PMZ.UN; Units outstanding: 95.5 million; Market cap: $1.3 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Average; Yield: 6.2%; www.primarisreit.com) owns 36 enclosed and open air shopping malls in Canada totalling 11.5 million square feet. The occupancy rate is 92.8%. Primaris has just acquired the Halifax Shopping Centre, and its Annex, in that city’s west end. The purchase price is $370 million. The trust feels that Halifax’s record population growth over the last five years makes its location an attractive investment, and the shopping centre is the leading shopping centre in its market. The Halifax Shopping Centre was operated by Cushman & Wakefield. Going forward, Primaris’ plans for the property are “similar” to the plans Cushman has in the works, which include moving Winners and Simons locations into the mall, as well as other retailers to fill the vacancy left when Sears vacated in 2018. Primaris REIT is a buy. buy. …