This REIT rewards its investors

Article Excerpt

PRIMARIS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $13 is a buy. The REIT (Toronto symbol PMZ.UN; Manufacturing sector; Units outstanding: 96.9 million; Market cap: $1.3 billion; Distribution yield: 6.3%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.primarisreit.com) owns 35 enclosed and open-air shopping malls in Canada. The occupancy rate is 87.5%. In January 2022, H&R REIT (Toronto symbol HR.UN) spun off most of its retail properties to Primaris REIT. Unitholders received one unit of Primaris for every four H&R units they held. At that time, H&R investors held 74% of Primaris, while the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) owned the remaining 26%. In the quarter ended March 31, 2023, revenue rose 5.0%, to $96.4 million from $91.8 million a year earlier. The REIT added 8 new properties. Cash flow per unit rose 5.3% in the quarter, to $0.319 from $0.303. The trust recently raised its monthly distribution by 2.4%; the new annual rate of $0.82 yields a high 6.3%. The REIT aims to pay out 45% to 50% of its cash…