Narrower focus set to spur H&R

Article Excerpt

H&R REIT recently completed a multi-year plan to simplify its corporate structure and property portfolio. Those moves included selling most of its U.S. retail malls, which face strong competition from online sellers. The trust then used the proceeds to expand its U.S. residential holdings. We feel this shift sets up H&R for new growth, with less risk. The REIT’s improving cash flow should also let it start to raise its distribution since freezing it at the current rate in 2016. H&R REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $22 (Toronto symbol HR.UN; Cyclical-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing sector; Units outstanding: 295.6 million; Market cap: $6.5 billion; Dividend yield: 6.3%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.hr-reit.com) owns 462 properties: 33 office buildings, 317 retail developments, 88 industrial buildings and 24 residential properties. It also has six projects (five residential and one mixed-use) in development. The occupancy rate as of June 30, 2019, was a high 94.1%. H&R’s properties are broadly diversified: 40% (by current value) are in the U.S., followed…