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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I am looking at your answer to evaluating investment quality of REITS in which you note three important ratios to consider - Interest coverage ratio (EBITDA/interest of 3X or higher)), debt to equity - below 1.0x) and NOI or net operating income. I see you give EBIT margin and Net Profit margin in your company profiles but I was wondering if it was possible to calculate NOI from these tables. Are there any other important ratios one could use to compare various REITS. Finally, how would you rank the three REITS I have noted here. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Ken on September 08, 2022
Q: I currently own these two REITs and they have, as expected, performed very poorly in 2022 - both down more than 30% YTD. Against the backdrop of continuing rising interest rate would it be advisable to take the losses and exit the REIT sector for now?

At present prime is at 4.7% (and continues to rise, latest rumour is another 0.75% or even 1% increase), while GRT.UN yields 4.2% and DIR.UN yields about 6% these two REITs are hardly enticing investments. What is your advice on this situation? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Victor on September 07, 2022
Q: Hi. could you please rank these REITs in order of safest business model during a recession and relative security of distribution. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Gary on September 01, 2022
Q: I have never owned a REIT but started looking at a couple. In doing so I realized that I really don’t know what to evaluate in a REIT (beyond type of asset - land, commercial, residential, specialty) and things I normally see as red flags may not be here. Can you tell me a few of the most important fundamentals to look at when comparing REITS (negatives to watch out for specifically, and positive indicators). For example my initial concerns were steady increases on common shares outstanding (seems acceptable and typical of all REITS) and what debt levels are acceptable. If you could tag your favourite REITS today I would appreciate. I have only looked at LAND and IIPR so far.
Read Answer Asked by Dan on August 30, 2022
Q: Hi, I own the three REIT's, I wanted to sell one or two, which would you recommend as having the best potential over the next five years.

Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Kim on August 17, 2022
Q: Thank you for answering my question on NAV.
The unanswered part of the question is "of the 3 is DIR.un still your favourite. Lastly please rank by risk."
Read Answer Asked by Jeff on August 09, 2022
Q: I am wondering about the NAV for DIR.un as the company reported an updated value of $16.64 last week with its Q2. How often does a REIT update its own numbers for this as a rule? I note it trades at a 25% discount to this number now whereas a year ago it traded at a premium to NAV.

What comparable NAV numbers would SMU.un and GRT.un have and of the 3 is DIR.un still your favourite. Lastly please rank by risk.

Read Answer Asked by Jeff on August 09, 2022
Q: I'm considering taking tax losses. Which of these would you consider moving on from or selling and getting back into at a later date.

I'm an income investor with a long term horizon and have apparently have passed the iron gut test.

Read Answer Asked by Robert on August 08, 2022
Q: Hi, for higher income and safety of distribution could you please list 4 or 5 attractive REITS. Growth is not a concern, just income and relative security. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Gary on July 22, 2022
Q: My question is about tax efficiencies on yields and distributions.
Has anyone created a table to demonstrate the tax implications for stocks? Can this be easily determined? Should REITs always be in TFSAs? What are the tax savings regular acct vs TFSA? How or what would the dividend tax calculation be for the stocks I mentioned?

Thanks for your support
Mark
Read Answer Asked by Mark on June 22, 2022
Q: Would like your suggestions of 7 value stocks that also have a history of increasing dividends for both a balance portfolio and an income portfolio ....primarily Canadian stocks or secondary US traded stocks.
and please take the number of credits necessary to complete this "task". ........thanks.....Tom
Read Answer Asked by Tom on June 21, 2022
Q: I am wondering about the relative safety of these Reits if interest rates runs really high. I was reading an article in Barron's which claimed a high number of Reits went bankrupt in the 70's and 80's, but went on to say it wouldn't happen today even in the same case scenario, but it did not say why. Wondering what you think of that statement, and if you could answer "why it wouldn't happen now". Do you think these Reits are safe to add to as they go down, and would their dividends be safe if interest rates ran hot for a couple of years? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Pat on June 20, 2022
Q: Please rank these stocks and would you be comfortable buying them now for their generous yields with at least a three year hold?
Any individual company comments are welcome. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Steven on June 15, 2022
Q: Hi,
What 5 or 6 uncorrelated Canadian companies & REITS would you pick for a "HIGH YIELD" portfolio for SAFE INCOME?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Carlo on June 10, 2022
Q: Hi There,
I have a fairly large position in CAR.UN and I'm thinking of selling half and buying either DIR.UN or TCN.
Of the two noted, would you have a preference of one over the other?
Thank You
Read Answer Asked by Kevin on June 10, 2022
Q: I am thinking of harvesting a tax loss in CAR.UN. Had bought this to protect against, or just dampen, the abrasive effect of inflation. I do not need a loss for tax year 2022 so it would be for use in some future year. I could use the proceeds to buy a different REIT , as a possible (probable?) protection against inflation.
1- Am I correct about REITs being a probable protection against inflation?
2- Although interest rates will be higher going forward, I assume inflation also dampens effect of debt. Is this in fact true?
3-Would you suggest an industrial REIT over a residential? Please suggest names you favor. I like ones that are inter-listed as I have only US$. ( TCN, Granite GRP in the US and others). But ones listed in Canada only are also just fine.
Read Answer Asked by Adam on June 09, 2022