Buy for spinoff gains and higher income

Article Excerpt

H&R REIT’s net asset value (NAV)—the market value of its properties minus any mortgage liabilities—stood at $22.77 a share as of September 30, 2021. That’s 33.9% more than the current trading price of the units. To narrow that gap, H&R now plans to spin off its retail properties as a separate, publicly traded REIT. That will let it focus on its more-promising residential and industrial projects. At the same time, H&R is freeing up cash for new investments by selling its office properties. The plan should help unlock more of H&R’s value. Investors will also benefit from a higher combined distribution rate for the parent and the new retail REIT. H&R REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $17 is a buy. The REIT (Toronto symbol HR.UN; Manufacturing sector; Units outstanding: 286.9 million; Market cap: $4.9 billion; Dividend yield: 4.2%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.hr-reit.com) owns 457 properties: 32 office buildings, 321 retail developments, 80 industrial buildings and 24 residential properties. It also has five projects (four residential and one…