H&R’s payout keeps rising

Article Excerpt

H&R REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $24.13 (Toronto symbol HR.UN; Units outstanding: 187.3 million; Market cap: $4.4 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; Dividend yield: 5.2%; www.hr-reit.com) has increased its distribution for the 10th consecutive quarter. The REIT began raising its payout in early 2010 with the goal of reaching an annual rate of $1.25 in the fourth quarter of 2012. The latest increase of 4.2%, to $0.10417 per month from $0.10, lets it achieve that goal. But its strong cash flow, up 35.1% to $0.50 a unit from $0.37 a year ago, prompted it to go further, raising its distribution by 8%, to $0.1125 per month, or $1.35 a year, starting in January 2013. That gives it a 5.6% yield. H&R REIT is a buy. buy…