Topic: How To Invest

Can I please get your thoughts on Retrocom REIT? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Retrocom Mid-Market REIT, $5.90, symbol RMM.UN on Toronto (Units outstanding: 19.5 million; Market cap: $260.7 million; www.rmmreit.com), owns smaller commercial properties in cities across Canada. Retrocom has 47% of its properties in Ontario and 41% in western Canada. Most of its western properties (and 28% of the total) are in Saskatchewan. In the three months ended March 31, 2011, Retrocom’s revenue rose 25.4%, to $18.7 million from $14.9 million a year earlier, largely due to acquisitions. However, cash flow per unit fell 18.2%, to $0.09 from $0.11. As well, its occupancy rate fell to 84.9% from 90.0%. Retrocom’s focus on smaller properties adds risk, because it’s difficult to attract national, brand-name tenants. As well, the REIT now needs to undertake a number of measures to increase its occupancy rate, including converting common areas into leasable space and upgrading its malls to attract national anchor tenants. The REIT yields a high 7.6%. But it paid out 126% of its cash flow as distributions…