Topic: How To Invest

LOBLAW COMPANIES $48.89 – Toronto symbol L

LOBLAW COMPANIES $48.89 (Toronto symbol L; Shares outstanding: 282.1 million; Market cap: $13.9 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 2.0%; www.loblaw.ca) has announced more details of its upcoming plan to set up 75% of its real estate holdings as a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT).

The company will transfer 425 properties, including 415 stores, nine warehouses and one office building, to a new entity called Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. Following the transfer, Loblaw will rent the properties from this new trust. Loblaw will be the REIT’s main tenant, accounting for roughly 90% of its rental income. Its leases range from 10 to 18 years.

Choice Properties will sell units to the public, probably in the next month or two, at a yet-to-be-disclosed price. Loblaw will hang on to a majority stake.

Loblaw is a buy.

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