Primaris REIT: New buy

Article Excerpt

PRIMARIS REIT, $14.56, is a buy. The trust (Toronto symbol PMZ.UN; units o/s: 101.4 million; Market cap: $1.5 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Average; Yield: 5.5%; www.primarisreit.com) owns 35 enclosed and open air shopping malls in Canada. The occupancy rate is 89.1%. In January 2022, unitholders of H&R REIT (see left) received one unit of Primaris for every four H&R units they held. H&R investors now own 74% of Primaris, while the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) owns 26%. Primaris is working with retailers to develop their omni-channel networks as consumers shift to online shopping. That includes building distribution and curbside pickup hubs near their stores. Under these deals, Primaris receives a percentage of their online sales. The trust pays a monthly distribution of $0.0667 a unit; the annual rate of $0.80 yields a high 5.5%. It aims to pay out 45% to 50% of its cash flow as distributions. Primaris REIT is a buy. buy…