Investment Q&A

Q: While I'm interested in asking about AX.UN, I'm noticing that the last few trading days have been tough for TSX REITS. AX.UN is mostly commerical, but I wonder if you can comment on the latest announcements by the Federal gov't to impose new rules on mortgages and how this might affect the commercial REIT market in Canada too.

Q: Artis, which has been heavily tainted by the Alberta economy collapse just sold C$171M of AB properties bringing their YTD total of liquidated properties to approx C$340M+. With AB's economy stabilizing with the price of oil, does all of this give AX.UN a good chance at a strong SP recovery over the next 6-12 months?

Carl

Q: Yesterday, is was reported that Artis is "looking to sell retail and industrial assets in Alberta worth about C$300 million ($227 million) to diversify away from the oil-producing province"

This was not a corporate release. As an investor would have prefered to hear they had sold, rather than they are trying to get out of Alberta. In fact, I hate the idea that they are trying to unload Alberta assets now -- sounds like 'buy high sell low'.

Do you believe that they are is such a precarious state that they must unload these assets now? Would you be a buyer or seller of AX.UN now?

Q: What makes Artis REIT a good buy here?

Q: I have been watching SOT.UN and yesterday it dropped after making an acquisition. I have a balanced REIT portion to my portfolio for income, and I am wondering about adding Slate on this drop as it has an 8.8% payout. My other holdings are Artis REIT, Pure Industrial REIT and Smart REIT. Is Slate of a comparable quality to my existing REIT's and would it be a good addition for income?

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: I have sold most of my REIT's I own except for three.

HR.UN 2.96 % weighting (removed the Drip)
AX.UN 6.11 % weighting (Enrolled in Drip)
CSH.UN 8.28% weighting (Enrolled in Drip)

I am a little high in Chartwell I think and maybe Artis too. My overall REIT exposure is most likely way to high. My question is do I sell one entirely, trim back on the high one or remove the Drip and start to take cash. I really like these three REIT's and I am bias towards them and not sure what to do

Your thoughts?

Q: Artis AX.UN has been very weak recently, following the release of latest results and a $115.0 Million Equity Offering to acquire an Office Portfolio in Madison, Wisconsin.

How do you view the overall news?

Would you buy on the weakness?

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: Hi 5i team,
This REIT's share price fell almost 4% after the financials release on friday. As I believe eastern Canada will do well over the next few years, would you recommend it at this price, or could you propose better alternatives ?

Much thanks

Q: I have recently received a notice that AX.DB.F is to be redeemed. One option is cash ($1000 per unit)and a second option is a share conversion. In the latter case, Artis is offering 64.5 common shares per $1000 unit. This is equivalent to a conversion price of $15.50 which is nearly two dollars above the present cost of an AX.UN share. Such a large gap doesn't seem right. Can you clarify? I believe this is a full redemption and I must choose one or the other of the options.

Q: I own some H&R Reit, looking to add one of the mentioned ones here. Looking more for growth than income.

Q: How do you view the latest news? Is it long term positive? The stock did not respond well.

Q: Shareholders appear to have reacted negatively to the recently announced acquisition. Is this reaction justified, given that management has said the acquisition will be immediately accretive to reit's funds from operations and AFFO?

Q: Hi 5i,
This is in response to Earl’s question about managing an account for someone whose OAS supplement is reduced substantially in proportion to any taxable income from investments. A good way to generate some cash flow giving the effect of income but without taking the full impact of the supplement reduction might be to focus a portion of the portfolio on REITs whose growth and development activities allow them to designate all or most of their distributions as ‘return of capital’ or ROC. The cash payments come monthly, typically, but the ROC designation turns some or all of that cash from income into a reduction of the cost base for the investment, effectively swapping current year income tax on the payments for capital gains tax that is deferred until the eventual sale of the holding. Because any portion of a cash distribution designated as ROC is effectively not income, there should be no reduction of the OAS supplement resulting from receiving that ROC.
There is imperfect visibility with this approach because one cannot be certain in advance exactly how much of the year’s distributions will be designated ROC. That information comes with the tax slips and related info after year-end. But with that caveat, I have held REITs over many years that have designated most, sometimes all, of their distributions as ROC, year after year. A good example that I have held would be Artis REIT (AX.UN) but I expect that other 5i members have several other favorite examples. If you are willing to dig a bit, a REITs’ past record regarding ROC designations is usually available on its website or potentially through its Investor Relations people.

Q: Hi 5i, I have been slowly adding to my portfolio. So far it is all held in a TFSA with long term in mind. The listed companies are the current holdings (I don't know weighted percents off hand). Can you please recommend maybe 2-3 other companies or funds that would help to round out my portfolio? I plan to make regular contributions for the long term. All available DRIP's are being utilized as well to further growth. Do you see any current major issues with the current holdings?

Thanks 5i! Keep up the great work, you're much appreciated!

Q: Will the situation in Ft.Mac have any meaningful impact to Artis?
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks

Q: I am looking to take advantage of opportunities in the Calgary office space segment given the low price of oil. I purchased Boardwalk at $43 and I'm quite happy with it. I'd like to purchase a best in class REIT that focuses on the Calgary or Western Canada office segment. What would you recommend? This investment is for my RRSP and I consider it to be long term.

Thanks,
Jason

Q: I hold a number of REITS in an registered account...AX.un BYD.un CSH.un GRT.un and HR.un, with BYD.un being 2 positions and the others being 1 position each. I have attempted to get a diversified mix of REITS in various sub-industries.
Does this mix seem reasonable for going forward for 3 to 5 years or should changes be made?
Also I have funds available to purchase another 1 REIT position in this registered account, aka RRSP. Would you suggest adding to the existing holds or adding another REIT.un, say MRC if it pays distributions rather than dividends?......Thanks....Tom

Q: I am down 17% on AX.UN If I include the dividend collected in cash I am down 8%. It was meant to be a long term hold. Would you recommend switching to another Reit(s) or keeping it through the oil downturn? I do understand its Alberta exposure.