These REITs are focused on development

Article Excerpt

CANADIAN REIT $46.63 (Toronto symbol REF.UN; Units outstanding: 73.1 million; Market cap: $3.5 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; Dividend yield: 3.9%; www.creit.ca) owns 198 properties across Canada and Chicago, including retail (85), industrial (96) and office (17) buildings. These holdings make up 21.8 million square feet of leasable space. The trust’s occupancy rate is 94.9%. In the three months ended September 30, 2016, Canadian REIT’s revenue rose 2.2%, to $99.7 million from $97.6 million a year earlier. Cash flow per unit rose 3.9%, to $0.79 from $0.76. The improvement was due to higher occupancy levels for its retail segment as well as higher rents on new leases. The trust aims to expand by developing its own properties rather than through large acquisitions. Over the next two to three years, it plans to add 1.1 million square feet of space with 12 developments. Canadian REIT takes on partners to help carry out big projects. The stock trade at 14.3 times the trust’s forecast 2017…