Investment Q&A

Q: Hi, I've sold my REITs in my cash account but am thinking of adding two or three in my RRSP accounts for long term holds. Is this a reasonable move? I've noticed that your recommendations generally include CSH, CAR, and REI. I can't help but be attracted to the yield on AX. Am I "reaching" for yield and likely to be disappointed if I buy AX? What would be your top 2 or 3 REITs for an RRSP that consists of a balanced group of etf's? I'm looking to be a bit more conservative here than in my cash account which mirrors the balanced equity model fairly closely.
Thanks, Rod

Q: In answer to a recent question about real estate exposure, you noted that you prefer apartment-focused REITs to office REITs and office REITs to retail REITs. Is this preference only if you are purchasing a REIT for income first and foremost as opposed to hoping for some growth as well? It would seem to me that the residential REIT does have almost a guaranteed income stream but very limited growth potential due to rent controls (aside from takeovers). The office/retail companies eg. REI, however, are able to participate in a growing economy as rents are often based partly on sales and there is the ability to raise rents in an uncontrolled market albeit while benefiting from long-term contracts. If a company has a greater mix of assets, is that not better than being reliant on one sector? So, is this just a case of risk/reward as to what REIT to purchase or is there a lot more risk in REI than I realize?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: I am retired, modest risk appetite, have a diversified portfolio, and am considering buying a quality REIT for my RRIF for income and some growth potential. I have till now considered our home as our real estate investment. Your thoughts are appreciated. Do you prefer office vs retail or some combination? Please recommend a couple of names? Thank you for your comments. Edward

Q: I depend on dividends for much of our income and would like to have your opinion on one or two these stocks for a 1/2-3/4 position, about $15-20,000 or so. hot.un, car.un, aar.un, wir.u - Thanks, Ted

Q: I have cash in RRSP that I want to put to use in purchasing a REIT. At this point, would you wait until after a 0.25% increase in the US interest rates (likely this year but not guaranteed), or purchase now?

Q: Hello 5i team,
I would like to purchase a few REITS through my RRSP account since I currently have non. I was thinking of purchasing one of the listed REITs that you suggested in a previous question and maybe an ETF (if they exist).

Of the REITs (CSH, HR, CAR) which one has the best dividend/growth? I figured a REIT that goes across the country would be the best.

Also do REIT ETFs exist? If so are there some that possible cover commercial properties only?

Thank you,
Andrew

Q: I've been considering CAR.UN. While the drop in recent days might be seen as "good" for me, in lowering my cost, given that my three most recent purchases (DH, KBL and IWO) have all been immediate losers, I thought I'd better ask you first: do you see anything to explain the recent drop with CAR.UN; and do you think this is a good time to start a position? (As CAR's recent performance is not materially different from XRE, perhaps it's more of a concern with REITs generally at this time?

Q: Peter, I've been thinking of CAR.UN for a long-term hold; it yields about 4.4% But I just saw Ross Healy (who I think has a pretty good track record for conservative investors) recommend Cominar, with its 10% yield. I have no need for active income; everything will be reinvested. For a long-term hold, would you expect someone to do better overall (including distributions of course) with CAR.UN or CUF.UN? The units will be held in an RRSP. Thank you.

Q: Hello,

The following 5 companies are on my buy list to complete my portfolio:

PBH
TOY
NFI
BCE
CAR.UN

I have room for two in my TFSA, two in my non-registered and one in my RRSP. How should I divide the above 5 stocks into these accounts?

My plan is to buy on pullbacks. But I'm thinking about buying CAR.UN now because it has already pulled back on the mortgage news. Does this make sense?

Q: Interest rate sensitive sectors are under performing possibly due to a December rate hike from the Fed. Do you think the reaction is overdone? Good entry point on REITs and Utilities?

Thanks,
Jason

Q: i asked 5i a few days ago about preferred shares vs reits. 5i response was that reits are favoured due to the fact they can grow their business/distributions over time but both sectors will be impacted by interest rate hikes. i know in the past you have recommended etf for diversification but i've looked at the reit etf's XRE, ZRE, VRE and I have concerns, rightly or wrongly, with either the weightings (Riocan, HR as % of holdings) or certain reits (DREAM) in each etf. what do you think of just holding REF and CAR as my reit holdings instead of an elf, especially given the pullback in those names over the last month or so? would these 2 provide enough diversification in the reit space? these would part of a portfolio with a fair bit of exposure to utilities, pipelines, banks. thank you

Q: Good morning Peter and Team,

Sorry for another question about the changes to the mortgage business! The new rules will undoubtedly disqualify a number of people from obtaining mortgages, thus relegating them to renting instead of buying real estate. I'm wondering if this is a buying opportunity for "apartment" type REITs like CAR.UN and IIP.UN. If so, what REITs do you find most compelling, and is there any preference as to where should they be held? (RRSP, RRIF, TFSA, Non-registered investment account.)

Thanks as always for your valued advice.

Q: Have to choose between HR reit and Car.un what do you think or is there a yet better choice ?

Q: Regarding my question earlier about 2 REIT's to diversify existing position in AX.un, I probably should have pointed out preference for market cap and mimimum current yield. I like (and anticipated) your recommendation of Chartwell however IIP.un sacrifices too much current yield and market cap security to make up for potential growth for me. Would CAR.un fit nicely given my desire for a larger market cap? Is H&R too much like AX.un? thx!

Q: Hi, what is your view of the REIT space right now? They are declining a lot today relative to normal stability, but have been strong lately. I have the ones listed as well as SIA with isn't technically a REIT but in the same area. I believe the new Real Estate category is coming soon, and the US election. In general is it good timing for the REIT sector over the next 6 months. And would you consider any other REITS better than the ones I currently own at the present time? I'm well diversified so I'm not over my % for the category, although could consolidate to fewer than 4 holdings.

Q: Your comments please on CAP REIT's operating results and your thoughts going forward. Am cautious on the impacts new foreign home ownership taxes will have on apartment valuations in BC and possibly Ontario. Apartment REIT's are coming off a bit. Do you see this continuing in light of the tax situation and a possible US rate hike this year.

Q: I believe you gave incorrect information re CAR.un You said:

Unfortunately because every REIT is different, and every year sources income can be different as well, we do not have an ability to screen properly for your list. It is rare that
For CAR, in 2015, 88.2% of distributions were classified for tax purposes as 'other taxable income'. 6.9% were capital gains, and the balance was foreign non-business income and return of capital. None of the distribution was eligible for the tax credit.

On the CAR website, they report that over 83% of distributions were categorized as ROC. A very different picture for tax purposes. Can you please confirm which is correct

Q: Hello 5i team.

I appreciate your answer a day ago which gives me a good understanding of the income from REITS in general.

As my questions stemmed from a specific interest in CAR.UN, am I to assume that your answers apply to CAR.UN? Do you wish to provide specific answers to my questions as these relate to CAR.UN.?

Can 5i inform which of the few REITs would be providing income that meets the qualification for eligible dividends?

Thank you,

SGR

Q: looking at replacing car.un by mrg.un , your thaoghts
Thanks

Q: Hi Peter, what would you consider as a best reit to buy now for a long term hold of 3 to 5 years.