Their high occupancy rates offset your risk

Article Excerpt

These two retail-focused REITs continue to benefit as many of their tenants remained open despite COVID-19 shutdowns. Those steady cash flows continue to support their distributions. CHOICE PROPERTIES REIT $15 is a top pick for 2021. Canada’s biggest REIT (Toronto symbol CHP.UN; Cyclical-Growth Payer Portfolio; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Units outstanding: 723.1 million; Market cap: $10.8 billion; Distribution yield: 4.9%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.choicereit.ca) creates value for investors through its 717 retail, industrial, office space, and residential properties. Investors also benefit from its high 96.9% occupancy rate. George Weston Ltd. (Toronto symbol WN) owns 61.7% of the trust. Choice pays a monthly $0.061667 distribution. The annual rate of $0.74 yields a high 4.9%. The payout ratio was a sustainable 84.3% of cash flow in the latest quarter. The REIT continues to perform well despite COVID-19. That’s because “essential” retailers contribute over 80% of Choice’s rents. That includes supermarket operator Loblaw (Toronto symbol L), which is also controlled by George Weston, as…