Their risk remains high despite deals

Article Excerpt

These two firms recently settled with activist investors. While that lets them avoid a lengthy proxy war, we feel their shares will remain under pressure as the economy stalls. FIRST CAPITAL REALTY INC. $16 is a hold. This real estate investment trust (Toronto symbol FCR.UN; Manufacturing sector; Units outstanding: 213.5 million; Market cap: $3.4 billion; Dividend yield: 5.4%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.fcr.ca) owns, develops and operates shopping centres throughout Canada. It owns interests in 145 properties. Its largest tenants include Sobeys, Loblaw, Metro, Canadian Tire, Walmart and Dollarama. The REIT recently settled a dispute with several activist investors, including Ewing Morris & Co. Investment Partners, Vision Capital, and Sandpiper Group. As a result, First Capital will increase the size of its board of trustees and add new independent members. The settlement will let the REIT proceed with its plan to sell up to $1 billion of its properties in smaller markets over the next two years. It plans to re-invest the proceeds in new projects in the…