Topic: How To Invest

Dividend Advisor Hotline – Friday, February 14, 2020

Article Excerpt

CHOICE PROPERTIES REIT, $14.89, Toronto symbol CHP.UN, is a top pick for 2020. Choice acquired Canadian REIT (old symbol REF.UN) on May 7, 2018. The merger created Canada’s biggest real estate investment trust: 726 properties for a total of 65.8 million square feet of retail, industrial and office space. Its occupancy rate is a high 97.7%. The REIT’s investors get monthly distributions of $0.061667 a unit. The annual rate of $0.74 gives you a high yield of 5.0%. Choice recently sold 30 of its properties (27 standalone retail centres and 3 distribution facilities) for a total of $426.3 million. As a result, the REIT’s revenue in the quarter ended December 31, 2019, fell 1.5% to $318.0 million from $322.8 million a year earlier. Choice’s cash flow also fell 3.5%, to $165.7 million from $171.9 million. Due to more units outstanding, cash flow per unit rose 7.4%, to $0.237 from $0.256. If you disregard a one-time charge, Choice’s cash flow in the latest quarter was $0.25 a..