Vaccines cut Extendicare’s risk

Article Excerpt

EXTENDICARE INC. $6.59 remains a buy. The operator of long-term care homes (Toronto symbol EXE; High-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 89.5 million; Market cap: $589.8 million; Dividend yield: 7.3%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Average; www.extendicare.com) continues to pay monthly distributions of $0.04 a share, for an annual rate of $0.48. That makes for a very high yield of 7.3%. That high dividend yield still looks sustainable. While governments have deemed many services non-essential during these turbulent times, there is no question that housing for seniors is vital. With more than 90% of its business now government funded, Extendicare is in a strong position to weather the pandemic. As well, COVID-19 outbreaks should subside as more of its residents receive their vaccines. Extendicare is a buy. buy…