Market Crash 2020: Ignore the Fear. Buy This REIT Yielding 11% Today

Northwest Healthcare REIT (TSX:NWH.UN) is very attractively valued, making now the time to buy.

| More on:

Stocks are whipsawing wildly on a mix of good and bad news. Fears that the full impact of the coronavirus is yet to be felt has caused stocks to fall sharply over the last month. The leading Dow Jones Industrial Average has lost a whopping 26% and the S&P/TSX Composite is 23% lower.

Many individual stocks have experienced even greater loss, despite many possessing solid fundamentals. Some of the worst affected are real estate investment trusts (REITs). Northwest Healthcare Properties (TSX:NWH.UN) has plummeted 33% because of fears that the economy has fallen into recession. This has created an opportunity to acquire a quality REIT at a deep discount to its fair value, making now the time to buy.

Solid fundamentals

Northwest Healthcare is an ideal defensive stock to own during economic slumps and market downturns. It has a wide, almost insurmountable economic moat, which protects its earnings. This is because Northwest Healthcare invests in medical real estate and infrastructure.

The industry not only has steep barriers to entry because of regulatory and capital requirements, but demand for healthcare is inelastic. Even during times of economic distress and recession, the consumption of healthcare and medical services remains steady. That, along with the wide moat, shields Northwest Healthcare’s earnings from downturns.

Northwest Healthcare’s earnings are also highly contracted. That and the occupancy rate of 97% and weighted average lease expiry of 13.8 years add a greater degree of certainty to its earnings.

Those attributes make Northwest Healthcare an ideal defensive stock, particularly when it pays a regular monthly distribution. After its stock declined by 37% for the year to date, Northwest Healthcare distribution is yielding a monster double-digit 11%.

While the payment appears sustainable, management may seize upon the opportunity to cut the distribution to preserve cash flow and Northwest Healthcare’s balance sheet.

Nevertheless, even a 50% distribution cut would leave a yield of over 5%, making it an attractive source of regular income during troubled times.

Recent stimulus measures, including interest rate cuts bode well for REITs. Earlier this month, Bank of Canada shaved 0.5% of the headline rate, reducing it to 0.75%, which bodes well for capital-intensive industries such as REITs. It will provide relief by reducing financing costs.

Northwest Healthcare, despite spending big on acquisitions during 2019, finished the year with a solid balance sheet. This is evident from its debt to gross book value of 49.6% and an interest coverage ratio of 2.57. That endows Northwest Healthcare with considerable financial flexibility, allowing it to weather the current storm engulfing the global economy is good shape.

Strong growth

Now is the time to buy Northwest Healthcare. It is trading at a deep 51% discount to its net asset value (NAV) of $13.17 per unit. This illustrates that there are considerable capital gains ahead for investors who buy today.

Management’s confidence is highlighted by Northwest Healthcare’s recently announced unit buyback. The REIT plans to acquire up to  15,078,071 of its units over the next year.

In order to prevent the dilution of existing unitholders, Northwest Healthcare has suspended its distribution-reinvestment plan.

Looking ahead

Northwest Healthcare’s mix of defensive characteristics and solid growth potential makes it the ideal stock to hold when financial markets are highly volatile. The REIT will rebound once coronavirus fears subside and the full impact on the economy is understood. While investors wait for Northwest Healthcare to rally, they will be rewarded by Northwest Healthcare’s distribution yielding a juicy 11%.

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 Matt Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends NORTHWEST HEALTHCARE PPTYS REIT UNITS.

More on Dividend Stocks

analyze data
Dividend Stocks

Here’s Why the Average TFSA for Canadians Aged 41 Isn’t Enough

The average TFSA simply isn't enough for most Canadians in their early 40s. Here's how to catch up.

Read more »

cloud computing
Dividend Stocks

Insurance Showdown: Better Buy, Great-West Life or Manulife Stock?

GWO stock and MFC stock are two of the top names in insurance, but which holds the better outlook?

Read more »

concept of real estate evaluation
Dividend Stocks

How to Earn a TFSA Paycheque Every Month and Pay No Taxes on It

Canadian REITs can turn your TFSA into a monthly paycheque machine for life. Here's how Morguard North American Residential REIT…

Read more »

A plant grows from coins.
Dividend Stocks

The Smartest Dividend-Growth Stocks to Buy With $1,000 Right Now

New dividend-growth investors should consider CN Rail (TSX:CNR) stock and another top play if they're looking to build wealth over…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

The 3 Top Canadian Stocks to Buy With $1,000 Right Now

If you want consistent income, look to consistent dividend payers. These three stocks are some of the best in the…

Read more »

A worker gives a business presentation.
Dividend Stocks

Want a 6% Average Yield? 3 TSX Stocks to Buy Today

These stocks pay good dividends that should continue to grow.

Read more »

chart reflected in eyeglass lenses
Dividend Stocks

Is Alimentation Couche-Tard Stock a Buy for its 0.9% Dividend Yield?

Couche-Tard stock's small yield is not enticing, but its growth potential could be a wealth creator.

Read more »

Hourglass and stock price chart
Dividend Stocks

5.2% Dividend Yield! I’m Buying This TSX Stock and Holding for Decades!

With its 5.2% dividend yield, Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) is a stock I'm eagerly buying.

Read more »