Two top Canadian REITs for steady income

Article Excerpt

Today’s low interest rates are a big plus for Canadian REITs, but some investors fear that their eventual rise will hurt the returns for those trusts. However, most REITs have already moved to refinance much of their debt at today’s low fixed rates. This protects them against future increases. Still, any rise in rates would likely indicate improved economic activity. Stronger growth tends to boost occupancy levels and leasing rates, which will help REITs to maintain or increase their distributions. Their already-attractive yields should also receive a boost. RIOCAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $26.82 (Toronto symbol REI.UN; Units outstanding: 303.8 million; Market cap: $8.2 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Average; Dividend yield: 5.4%; www.riocan.com) owns all or part of 217 shopping centres and other properties across Canada. They include 13 projects now under development. In all, the REIT controls 38.3 million square feet of rentable space. Its overall occupancy rate is a high 97.1%. The trust continues to make progress with its plan to focus…