1 High Yield REIT to Consider for 2019

Slate Retail REIT (TSX:SRT.UN) units may deliver lurative yields this year.

| More on:

As an alternative asset class to stocks and bonds, real estate investment trusts (REITS) have offered some important portfolio diversification benefits to Canadian investors and the asset class even outperformed the broader TSX in 2018.

The real estate market could be weaker in 2019 and in the short term, but the sector has become a very important income generator in dividend focused portfolios, as it has offered stable regular payouts with better yields than bonds in a low interest rate environment.

Although the Bank of Canada has been slowly increasing interest rates of late, bond rates are still near historical lows and the generally low yields on bonds may need be augmented by other stable income sources, although these alternatives do introduce higher volatility to portfolio values and  increased investment portfolio risk.

One important growing REIT is in focus today.

Slate Retail REIT

Slate Retail REIT (TSX:SRT.UN) is one of the few REITs that I recommended in April 2018. The REIT’s is focused on U.S. grocery-anchored shopping centres and its asset portfolio has been producing quite resilient cash flows that have supported stable distributions and generated good internal yields over the past few years.

Management announced a 1.8% distribution increase for December 2018 to US$0.071 a unit, which was a fifth consecutive annual distribution increase since the REIT listed on the TSX back in 2014. Growing net operating income generation and improving portfolio occupancy rates strongly support distribution increases.

The units offer a juicy 9.1% annualized distribution yield today with an expected 2018 AFFO pay out rate of 87.8%, which is not very far from Canadian retail REITS’ average of 84.2%, although the quarterly pay-out rate spiked beyond 100% for the third quarter of last year.

Portfolio occupancy increased by 0.4% during the third quarter of last year to 94.3% and this level is much higher than the 92.6% achieved during a comparable quarter in 2017. Slate’s portfolio has achieved a 90.2% tenant retention rate since inception, and high occupancy levels are expected to be maintained in the long term.

The REIT returned a negative 1.39% in total returns, which is mainly due to a significant plunge in the overall market in December. However, the units have since recovered much of late 2018 valuation losses and this could be a show of some valuation resilience and a big vote of confidence in the REIT’s economic profile by the public market. I like that.

Compelling valuation?

At today’s price, the units trade at a discount to net asset value of about 15%, offering new investors some margin of safety. The AFFO price multiple of 10.1 times estimated 2018 AFFO is very cheap as compared to industrial average of 14.0 times for Canadian retail comparable offerings and 14.5 times for U.S. comparables.

The REIT’s total debt ratio at 58.6% is on the high end of the industry peers’ average of 47.3% for Canadian peers and 38.4% for U.S. peers, but fears of further interest rate increases have since been dampened by slowing global demand and stalling economic growth, which could slow down interest rate growth pressures in global capital markets.

Most noteworthy, the REIT entered into $350.0 million notional amount pay-fixed receive-float interest rate swaps on July 30, 2018. By September 30, 2018, about 98.8% of the REIT’s debt was subject to fixed rates, so investors may not have to worry about interest rate increases in the short term.

One last thing: Slate offers some exposure to foreign currency gains. Canadian investors receive their distributions in the CAD equivalent of the monthly distribution at the date of payment based on the U.S. Dollar/Canadian dollar exchange rate at the time of payment of the distribution, or they may elect to receive the monthly distribution in USD.

The distribution yield may increase with a weakening of the Canadian dollar against its United States counterpart should there be any such weaknesses during the investment period.

Investor takeaway

Slate Retail REIT operates a strong and resilient real estate income portfolio with exposure to a defensive retail sector, and its robust redevelopment pipeline could generate sustainable strong cash flow growth in the near term.

The units offer a compelling distribution yield today.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Brian Paradza has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Dividend Stocks

Train cars pass over trestle bridge in the mountains
Dividend Stocks

Is CNR Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

Can CNR stock continue its long-term outperformance into 2025 and beyond? Let's explore whether now is a good time to…

Read more »

coins jump into piggy bank
Dividend Stocks

The Smartest Dividend Stocks to Buy With $500 Right Now

These top dividend stocks both offer attractive yields and trade off their highs, making them two of the best to…

Read more »

Middle aged man drinks coffee
Dividend Stocks

Here’s the Average TFSA Balance at Age 35 in Canada

At age 35, it might not seem like you need to be thinking about your future cash flow. But ideally,…

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Dividend Stocks

How to Invest Your $7,000 TFSA Contribution in 2024

Here's how I would prioritize a $7,000 TFSA contribution for growth and income.

Read more »

a man relaxes with his feet on a pile of books
Dividend Stocks

CPP Pensioners: Watch for These Important Updates

The CPP is an excellent tool for retirees, but be sure to stay on top of important updates like these.

Read more »

Technology
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 3 Dividend Stocks I’d Buy and Hold Forever

These TSX dividend stocks are likely to help TFSA investors earn steady and growing passive income for decades.

Read more »

four people hold happy emoji masks
Dividend Stocks

Love Dividend Growth? Check Out These 2 Income-Boosting Stocks

National Bank of Canada (TSX:NA) and another Canadian dividend-growth stock are looking like a bargain going into December 2024.

Read more »

An investor uses a tablet
Dividend Stocks

A Dividend Giant I’d Buy Over Enbridge Stock Right Now

Enbridge stock may seem like the best of the best in terms of dividends, but honestly this one is far…

Read more »