2 Cheap High-Yield REITs to Stash in Your Passive-Income Fund

H&R REIT (TSX:HR.UN) and Inovalis REIT (TSX:INO.UN) are screaming buys for Canadians looking to add to their passive-income funds.

| More on:

I see great value in the REIT space right now. Although popular opinion makes some of the harder-hit REITs (think retail and office REITs) unworthy of touching with your investment dollars, I’d argue that the contrarian case has never made more sense now that we’ve got more clarity on the vaccine timeline. While almost every asset class is now considerably more expensive than in the depths of March and April 2020, I think the risk/reward in some of the hardest-hit REITs has never looked better with post-COVID normalcy now in our grasp.

Moreover, select REITs are thinly traded and are more prone to inefficient pricing by Mr. Market. So, if you’re looking for high (and sustainable) yields for a lower price of admission for your passive-income fund, you may want to think about accumulating shares of H&R REIT (TSX:HR.UN) and Inovalis REIT (TSX:INO.UN) today before rent-collection rates (sustainably) revert towards their means in the post-pandemic environment.

H&R REIT

H&R REIT is a behemoth-sized REIT with a heavy weighting in office and retail properties, which comprise approximately 45% and 33% of collected rents, respectively. The COVID-19 pandemic hit H&R REIT shares ridiculously hard, causing the name to lose over 65% of its value in a matter of weeks. Over the subsequent months, HR.UN shares have been steadily climbing back, but they remain over 42% below their pre-pandemic 2019 peak levels.

Even if you think we’re in for some very modest reversion in mean demand for office property types, H&R REIT is a strong buy here, as I think it’ll only take a modest reversion to really move the needle on the stock.

Shares have a freshly cut 5.2% yield today, with rent-collection rates that are still well above the 90% mark as of January.

Inovalis REIT

Inovalis REIT owns some sought-after office properties in France and Germany. The REIT has typically commanded a yield that’s just shy of 8% under normal conditions. The COVID-19 crash caused shares to yield north of 12%, providing investors with a rare opportunity to lock in a high yield at a low cost.

Today, the REIT’s shares have climbed back 134% from the depths of March, and the yield has compressed to 8.6%. While Inovalis is no longer a steal, I still view it as one of the lower-cost ways to obtain a nearly 9% yield at a compelling discount.

Rent-collection rates were climbing back to normalized levels late last year. Once the pandemic passes, I’d look for shares to return to the $10-11 mark again.

The Foolish takeaway

With COVID-19 variants of concern that could threaten to affect vaccine efficacy rates and lengthen this pandemic, the REITs listed in this piece aren’t without their fair share of risks.

Each REIT’s distributions are on a healthy footing right now, but that could change in a hurry should this pandemic drastically worsen before it ends. As such, I wouldn’t rule out the narrow possibility that could see each firm trim its distribution modestly from current levels in a bear-case scenario.

If you’re a long-term investor and believe that we’ll witness a (partial) reversion in mean demand in office properties in the post-COVID world, both H&R and Inovalis seem like they’re trading at unsustainably low levels, making them top picks for those looking to give their passive-income funds a jolt.

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 Joey Frenette has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Inovalis REIT.

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 »