Two REITs for spinoff gains and income

Article Excerpt

In January 2022, H&R REIT spun off most of its retail properties to Primaris REIT. Unitholders received one unit of Primaris for every four H&R units they held. At that time, H&R investors held 74% of Primaris, while the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) owned the remaining 26%. So far, H&R units are down about 8%, while Primaris is up slightly. That’s mainly due to uncertainty over the impact of high inflation and interest rates, and what they’ll do to consumer confidence. We still like the outlook for both REITs as they narrow their focus to their most-promising properties. As well, new pressure from activist investor K2 & Associates should prompt H&R to speed up its transformation. H&R REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $12 is a buy. The REIT (Toronto symbol HR.UN; Manufacturing sector; Units outstanding: 278.9 million; Market cap: $3.3 billion; Distribution yield: 5.0%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.hr-reit.com) owns 404 properties: 281 retail developments, 74 industrial buildings, 25 office buildings and 24 residential properties. The…