New entity will fund Florida projects

Article Excerpt

H&R REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $9.01 is a buy. The REIT (Toronto symbol HR.UN; Cyclical-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing sector; Units outstanding: 261.9 million; Market cap: $2.4 billion; Distribution yield: 6.7%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Average; www.hr-reit.com) owns 387 residential, industrial, office and some retail properties in Canada and the U.S. The trust’s overall occupancy rate is a solid 96.5%. H&R last increased the monthly distribution by 11.1% with the January 2023 payment. The annual rate of $0.60 a unit yields an attractive 6.7%. In the fourth quarter of 2023, revenue fell 5.0%, to $205.9 million from $216.8 million a year earlier due to property sales. Cash flow decreased by 3.5%, to $0.299 a unit (or $83.7 million) from $0.31 ($87.9 million). In February 2024, the REIT formed a new entity, called Lantower Residential Real Estate Development Trust, that will sell up to $52 million U.S. worth of units in an initial public offering. The proceeds will be used to develop 601 residential units in Orlando and Tampa. H&R…