Here’s two ways for investors to own REITs

Article Excerpt

CHOICE PROPERTIES REIT $12.22 (Toronto symbol CHP.UN; Units outstanding: 277.2 million; Market cap: $8.3 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; Dividend yield: 6.1%; www.enbridge.com) acquired Canadian REIT (old symbol REF.UN), a recommendation of Canadian Wealth Advisor, on May 7, 2018. The merger created Canada’s biggest real estate investment trust: 751 properties for a total of 66.8 million square feet of retail, industrial and office space. In the quarter ended September 30, 2018, the REIT’s revenue jumped 52.5%, to $315.6 million from $207.0 million a year earlier. Overall cash flow jumped 78.7%, to $137.5 million from $77.0 million. Due to the extra units outstanding as a result of the merger with Canadian REIT, cash flow per unit rose 10.2%, to $0.205 from $0.186. Loblaw (see page 93) formed Choice in 2013 to hold its real estate properties. After the merger with Canadian REIT, Loblaw owned 61.6% of Choice Properties, while its parent company George Weston (see page 93) held 4%. On November 1, 2018, Loblaw transferred its stake in Choice…