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  5. CAR.UN: The Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (CAR. [Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust]
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Investment Q&A

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Q: The Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (CAR.UN) was following a solid upward trend for at least 7 years up to mid 2021 (ignoring the temporary COVID disruption). However, the REIT has followed a flat trend since then. What factors stopped its growth? We hear so much about the scarcity of residential housing these days, so what is holding back the companies in this REIT?
Asked by Philip on September 22, 2025
5i Research Answer:

CAR took a big hit in 2022 (down 28%) as investors fretted about inflation. It also fell 13% last year on disappointing financials. It is down 3% this year. Essentially, it had a very high premium valuation that was impacted by weak numbers and interest rate moves. While there is scarcity of housing its occupancy level is 98.3% so there is not much benefit from incremental demand other than what it can raise in rents. This is getting more difficult but average rents did rise 5.2% in the last quarter. But with consumers getting tapped out and concern of recession, this is likely to stay muted for a while. Then, though not isolated to CAR, investors have been pouring money into more exciting sectors (gold, tech) and this has held back the units, we think. Lower rates should help next year, but it's hard to get overly excited here. But we like it generally for the sector still.