Expanding cash flow means strong distributions

Article Excerpt

These two REITs continue to add quality properties to their portfolios. They also continue to renew expiring leases at higher rental rates. That extra cash flow should help them keep raising your distributions. CHOICE PROPERTIES REIT $14 is a top pick for 2024. Canada’s biggest REIT (Toronto symbol CHP.UN; Cyclical-Growth Payer Portfolio; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Units outstanding: 723.7 million; Market cap: $10.1 billion; Distribution yield: 5.4%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.choicereit.ca) owns 705 properties, with 66.2 million square feet of retail, industrial, mixed-use and residential space. Investors also benefit from its high 97.7% occupancy rate. Note—George Weston Ltd. (Toronto symbol WN) owns 61.7% of the trust. With the April 2024 payment, the REIT raised your monthly distribution by 1.3%. Investors now receive $0.063333 a unit instead of $0.0625. The annual rate of $0.76 yields a high 5.4%. The REIT spent $172.1 million on acquisitions in the third quarter of 2024. Those purchases include buying, in partnership with Crestpoint Real Estate Investments, three properties from Loblaw…