Love Real Estate? 3 Top TSX REITs to Watch in June

For investors seeking exposure to real estate investment trusts, or REITs, here are three top Canadian options to consider buying right now.

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Investing in real estate investment trusts (REITs) is among the best options for long-term investors looking for exposure to this asset class. Indeed, there’s always the option of buying your own home or rental properties. But investing in REITs can provide exposure to other real estate asset classes (such as industrial, commercial, or retail) that are out of reach for most individuals.

The question is which REITs are the best options in these sectors? Let’s dive into a few of the best options the TSX has to offer right now.

SmartCentres REIT

For those looking for retail exposure, SmartCentres REIT (TSX:SRU.UN) would be my top pick. This Canada-based giant owns 174 strategically located properties mainly focused in key regions of Canada. The company’s wholly-owned residential sub-brand, SmartLiving, offers complete, connected, and mixed-use communities on its existing retail properties. 

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.ca

For the first quarter of 2024, the trust reported an increase of 4% on the same property net operating income year over year. In addition, its net rental income and others increased by a whopping 4.7%, or $5.9 million. This is a top asset manager with key retail assets bolstered by some of the best blue-chip mega-cap companies out there. Thus, for those who believe retail real estate has a future, this would be my top option in this space.

And for those looking for a top dividend stock on the TSX, this REIT’s 8.5% yield is the best of the bunch.

Dream Industrial REIT

For those seeking industrial real estate exposure, Dream Industrial REIT (TSX:DIR.UN) continues to be my top pick. This is an open-ended, unincorporated real estate investment trust. The company’s portfolio comprises industrial properties located in the prime regions of Canada and the United States of America. Dream Industrial REIT’s primary objective is to build and grow its portfolio to provide stable cash distributions to investors.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Dream Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.ca

For the first quarter of 2024, the trust reported diluted funds from operations of $0.21 per unit and net operating income of $87.8 million, a rise of 7.1% year over year. Moreover, the trust’s rental income for the period was $85.9 million, a growth of 5.4% year over year.

Dream Industrial’s focus on providing investors access to some of the best-located warehouses and distribution assets means this REIT also benefits from the secular tailwinds supporting the e-commerce revolution, as well as so many other trends. For those looking for such exposure, this is among the top picks to consider, in my view.

Canadian Apartment REIT

And finally, we have Canadian Apartment REIT (TSX:CAR.UN). This real estate investment trust is focused on acquiring the highest-quality multi-unit residential rental properties in Canada. The trust’s portfolio comprises townhouses and apartments situated near public amenities in Canada, and most of its holdings focus on mid-tier and luxury markets.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.ca

Like the other REITs on this list, Canadian Apartment REIT has seen strong financial performance of late, though its stock price doesn’t reflect this reality. I think investors looking for residential real estate exposure may want to consider this top REIT on this dip. After all, it’s among the most defensive of the group and still provides a dividend yield of 3.3%.

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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 Chris MacDonald has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Dream Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust and SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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