Topic: How To Invest

Q: Hi, Pat. Can you please offer your opinion on NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

A: NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT, $11.40, symbol NWH.UN on Toronto (Units outstanding: 117.2 million; Market cap: $1.3 billion; www.nwhreit.com), owns and operates a portfolio of medical office buildings (54%) as well as hospital and healthcare facilities (46%). NorthWest is Canada’s largest non-government owner and operator of medical office buildings and has been steadily increasing its international exposure. Australia and New Zealand now represent a significant portion of its portfolio, along with its growing presence in Europe. Of the REIT’s 156 properties, 56 are in Canada, 60 are in Australasia, 32 are in Europe, and 8 are in Brazil. Together, they comprise over 11.2 million square feet of leasable area. NorthWest has an overall occupancy rate of 96.7% and an average tenancy of 12.6 years. Offering its units at $10 each, the REIT began trading March 25, 2010, on Toronto. New property acquisitions (an increase of 83 properties, all outside Canada) drove NorthWest’s 132.4% jump in revenue, from $150.4 million in 2014 to $349.6 million in…