These top REITs are poised for a rebound

Article Excerpt

These two REITs own some of the best properties in Canada’s biggest cities. Despite the disruptions caused by the work from home and online shopping trends, those high-quality holdings should continue to attract tenants. ALLIED PROPERTIES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, $15.66, is a buy. The REIT (Toronto symbol AP.UN; Units outstanding: 128.0 million; Market cap: $2.2 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Average; Dividend yield: 11.5%; www.alliedreit.com) owns 198 office buildings and eight properties under development, mainly in major Canadian cities. Its occupancy rate is 87.0%. The REIT has increased its stake in two office towers under development—one in Toronto and one in Vancouver— by buying some of the stake of partner Westbank Corp. As a result, Allied now owns 95% of the Toronto building, and 90% of the Vancouver project. In exchange, the REIT cancelled $198.0 million in loans it had extended to Westbank. It also paid $36.3 million in cash to Westbank. To help offset those costs, Allied plans to sell $200 million of less-important properties,…