Topic: How To Invest

RIOCAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $24.49 Toronto symbol REI.UN

RIOCAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $24.49 (Toronto symbol REI.UN; SI Rating: Average) is Canada’s largest REIT. RioCan has total assets of $4.5 billion consisting of ownership interests in a portfolio of 204 retail properties across Canada, including 8 under development. These properties contain over 50.7 million square feet of leasable area.

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 largely of ‘Big Box’ stores with lots of parking and room for new building.

RioCan’s revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $160.7 million, up 7.3% from $149.8 million a year earlier. Cash flow per unit rose 29%, to $0.40 from $0.31. Portfolio occupancy is at an all-time high of 97.5%. RioCan’s annual distribution of $1.32 gives it a current yield of 5.4%.

While the bulk of RioCan’s properties are in suburban areas, it is also pursuing projects in built-up areas. For example, it aims to redevelop a Toronto commercial site into a new retail/condo complex.

RioCan feels the high potential returns of nontraditional projects like this offset their added risk.

RioCan is still a buy.

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