RioCan’s Big-box Focus Cuts Risk

Article Excerpt

RioCan is down from last year’s highs, as are most other REITs. That’s mainly due to fears that slowing consumer spending will hurt cash flows. However, it still has high occupancy rates and rising lease rates. As well, lower interest rates will let RioCan continue to fund its expansion plans. RIOCAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $12.83 (Toronto symbol REI.UN; Shares outstanding: 220.4 million; Market cap: $2.8 billion; SI Rating: Average) is Canada’s largest REIT. RioCan has ownership interests in 238 retail properties across Canada, including 14 under development. These contain over 58 million square feet of leasable area. Occupancy stands at 97.0%. RioCan is Canada’s largest owner of neighbourhood shopping centres. These are enclosed malls in smaller urban centres. But where it’s showing the strongest growth is as the largest owner of ‘New Format’ malls. These are in the suburbs of larger cities, and are made up of ‘Big Box’ stores with lots of parking and room for new building. RioCan’s revenue in…