Warning: Avoid Investing in These REITs Right Now

It’s not a good time to invest in Canadian Apartment Properties REIT (TSX:CAR.UN) and another top-notch quality REIT. Here’s why.

| More on:
The Motley Fool

Canadian Apartment Properties (TSX:CAR.UN) and Allied Properties (TSX:AP.UN) are two quality real estate investment trusts (REITs). Investors can be assured that their cash distributions are safe. However, there are better places to invest your money in real estate for safe and growing income, total returns, and preservation of capital.

Canadian Apartment Properties stock is stubbornly strong

Canadian Apartment Properties, or CAPREIT, is stubbornly strong. Its strength is evident by the closing of its equity offering early this month. The offering resulted in gross proceeds of almost $287.8 million. It was issued at $45.50 per unit — a price-to-funds-from-operations ratio (P/FFO) of about 22.5.

In the last three reported quarters that ended in September, CAPREIT increased its basic funds from operations (FFO) per unit by 12.1%. This kind of growth would imply the stock is fairly valued. However, looking at a longer-term view, its five-year FFO-per-unit growth rate is about 5.6%, which would imply that the stock is actually very expensive.

The REIT’s long-term normal multiple is about 15. So, I’m more inclined to believe that it’s closer to being expensive than being a good value.

That said, there’s no argument that CAPREIT is very well managed and owns a best-in-class portfolio of multi-unit residential properties, including apartment buildings, townhouses, and land-lease communities located in or near major urban centres across Canada.

From a price-to-book (P/B) perspective, CAPREIT also looks expensive.

CAR.UN Price to Book Value Chart

CAR.UN Price to Book Value data by YCharts. A five-year chart plotting CAPREIT’s P/B.

Allied Properties is another strong REIT

Allied Properties shows its strength as it trades at near its all-time high. The REIT owns, manages, and develops distinctive urban workspaces in major cities of Canada. It specializes in reformatting office spaces from light industrial structures. These office spaces feature high ceilings, abundant natural light, exposed structural frames, and interior brick and hardwood floors, which satisfy the needs of office and retail tenants.

Allied Properties has about 148 properties across 11 million square feet. It has about 11% exposure to Alberta based on gross leasable area (GLA). Most of its portfolio is in Toronto (about 42% of GLA) and Montreal (about 37%).

At $45.62 per share as of writing, Allied Properties trades at a P/FFO of about 21, while its five-year FFO-per-unit growth rate is about 2.3%, which implies the stock is very pricey.

From a P/B perspective, Allied Properties looks like it’s neither expensive nor cheap.

AP.UN Price to Book Value Chart

AP.UN Price to Book Value data by YCharts. A five-year chart plotting Allied Properties’s P/B.

Investor takeaway

It makes little sense to invest in CAPREIT or Allied Properties, despite the fact that they’re top-notch REITs. Investors should wait for better entry points. Because both stocks are on the expensive side, they only offer yields of about 3% and 3.5%, respectively, which is sub-par income generation. Additionally, investing at the current high valuations would imply an increased risk for your capital as well as below-average returns going forward. Instead, consider this real estate stock for higher returns and immediate income with lower risk.

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 Kay Ng has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Dividend Stocks

Businessman holding tablet and showing a growing virtual hologram of statistics, graph and chart with arrow up on dark background. Stock market. Business growth, planning and strategy concept
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Magic: Earn Enormous Passive Income That the CRA Can’t Touch

If you're seeking out passive income, with zero taxes involved, then get on board with a TFSA and this portfolio…

Read more »

Man with no money. Businessman holding empty wallet
Dividend Stocks

2 Stocks Under $50 New Investors Can Confidently Buy

There are some great stocks under $50 that every investor needs to know about. Here’s a look at two great…

Read more »

think thought consider
Dividend Stocks

Down 10.88%: Is ATD Stock a Good Buy After Earnings?

Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX:ATD) stock might not be the easy buy-case it once was. Here’s a look at what happened.

Read more »

money cash dividends
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Dividend Stocks: Earn $1,200/Year Tax-Free

Canadian stocks like Fortis are a must-have in your portfolio to earn tax-free yields for decades.

Read more »

sale discount best price
Dividend Stocks

1 Dividend Stock Down 11 Percent to Buy Right Now

Do you want a great dividend stock down 11% that can provide years of growth potential? Here's one heavily discounted…

Read more »

Growth from coins
Dividend Stocks

1 Grade A Dividend Stock Down 11% to Buy and Hold Forever 

If you're looking for the right dividend stock at the right price, you're going to want to consider this insurance…

Read more »

Target. Stand out from the crowd
Dividend Stocks

2 Dividend Stocks to Double Up on Right Now

Are you looking for dividend stocks to buy right now? Here are two top picks!

Read more »

edit Taxes CRA
Dividend Stocks

Tax Time: How to Keep More of Your Money

Nearly everyone hates paying taxes, although Canadians can lessen the financial pain with the right tax strategies.

Read more »