3 Smart Canadian Stocks to Buy for Monthly Passive Income

Do you want to easily earn steady monthly passive income? These three Canadian real estate stocks are an exceptional buy today.

If you want steady monthly passive income from stocks, real estate investment trusts (REITs) are a fantastic place to find it. There are many benefits to owning REIT stocks as investments.

bulb idea thinking

Image source: Getty Images

Many benefits to owning REITs over your own commercial properties

Firstly, you get to own high-quality real estate assets that most people would never be able to acquire on their own. Secondly, you have no management responsibility of those assets. You collect your monthly distribution cheques, and there is not much else to do. Most Canadian REITs trade with a yield of 3% or higher.

Lastly, most Canadian REITs are trading at attractive valuations. Compared to U.S. peers, you can buy similar or better-quality assets at a 15% discount or better.

REITs pay great passive income and are cheap today

If you want to own real estate for passive income, now is a great time to start adding REITs. Interest rates continue to come down, and that should have an upward lift on interest-sensitive real estate stocks.

You may have to be a little patient for this to play out, but at least you will collect some monthly passive income while you wait. In fact, here are three smart REITs to look at buying before it is too late.

A top apartment REIT for value and passive income

With its stock down 9% in 2024, it has been a tough year for Minto Apartment REIT (TSX:MI.UN). Factors like declining immigration and an oversupply of condos in the Greater Toronto region are making investors worried about apartment REITs.

Despite this, the REIT has been performing very well. It has sold off non-core assets and rapidly paid down debt. Its balance sheet is in strong shape today.

Its well-located apartments continue to enjoy high single-digit rent growth. Year to date, funds from operation (FFO) per unit (a core measure of profitability) have increased by 25%.

Minto yields 3.6% today. This passive-income stock just increased its distribution by 3%. That is its sixth since 2018.

It trades at a 34% discount to the private market of its assets. Why buy private real estate when you get such a high-quality portfolio (and management team) for 66 cents to the dollar?

A top TSX industrial REIT

Granite REIT (TSX:GRT.UN) is another monthly passive income stock you don’t want to miss. This is one of the highest-quality REITs in Canada.

It has institutional quality logistics and manufacturing properties across Canada, the U.S., and Europe. It is managed by a very prudent executive team and has one of the best balance sheets amongst Canadian REITs. While the REIT’s occupancy has recently declined, it has continued to deliver high single-digit cash flow growth.

Granite has a 4.4% distribution yield. It has increased its distribution for 14 consecutive years. It is trading at a 16% discount to its private market value and a large discount to American peers with similar quality.

A top retail REIT that is still a bargain

If you want steady monthly passive income from stocks, real estate investment trusts (REITs) are a fantastic place to find it. There are many benefits to owning REIT stocks as investments.

Many benefits to owning REITs over your own commercial properties

Firstly, you get to own high-quality real estate assets that most people would never be able to acquire on their own. Secondly, you have no management responsibility of those assets. You collect your monthly distribution cheques, and there is not much else to do. Most Canadian REITs trade with a yield of 3% or higher.

Lastly, most Canadian REITs are trading at attractive valuations. Compared to U.S. peers, you can buy similar or better-quality assets at a 15% discount or better.

REITs pay great passive income and are cheap today

If you want to own real estate for passive income, now is a great time to start adding REITs. Interest rates continue to come down, and interest-sensitive real estate stocks should have an upward lift.

You may have to be a little patient for this to play out, but at least you will collect some monthly passive income while you wait. In fact, here are three smart REITs to look at buying before it is too late.

A top apartment REIT for value and passive income

With its stock down 9% in 2024, it has been a tough year for Minto Apartment REIT (TSX:MI.UN). Factors like declining immigration and an oversupply of condos in the Greater Toronto region are making investors worried about apartment REITs.

Despite this, the REIT has been performing very well. It has sold off non-core assets and rapidly paid down debt. Its balance sheet is in strong shape today.

Its well-located apartments continue to enjoy high single-digit rent growth. Year to date, funds from operation (FFO) per unit (a core measure of profitability) have increased by 25%.

Minto yields 3.6% today. This passive-income stock just increased its distribution by 3%. That is its sixth since 2018.

It trades at a 34% discount to the private market of its assets. Why buy private real estate when you get such a high-quality portfolio (and management team) for 66 cents to the dollar?

A top TSX industrial REIT

Granite REIT (TSX:GRT.UN) is another monthly passive-income stock you don’t want to miss. This is one of the highest-quality REITs in Canada.

It has institutional quality logistics and manufacturing properties across Canada, the U.S., and Europe. It is managed by a very prudent executive team and has one of the best balance sheets amongst Canadian REITs. While the REIT’s occupancy has recently declined, it has continued to deliver high single-digit cash flow growth.

Granite has a 4.4% distribution yield. It has increased its distribution for 14 consecutive years. It is trading at a 16% discount to its private market value and a large discount to American peers with similar quality.

A top retail REIT that is still a bargain

First Capital REIT (TSX:FCR.UN) is another Canadian REIT that is not being fairly acknowledged by the market. It has one of the premier retail property portfolios in Canada. Its properties are urban-focused and grocery-anchored.

Over 85% of its tenants provide essential services, so it has a resilient base of tenants. Its great locations have been supporting above-industry average rental rate growth. That has translated into strong cash generation.

Yet, the market hardly recognizes it. First Capital trades with a nice 4.8% yield. It also trades a low to mid-teens discount to net asset value.

With its ample land assets and development opportunities, it should trade at a premium, but you can still swipe it up at a bargain price. Collect a great stream of monthly passive income while you wait for its value to be uncovered.  

Fool contributor Robin Brown has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Dividend Stocks

A woman stands on an apartment balcony in a city
Dividend Stocks

Here’s What the Typical Canadian’s TFSA Balance Looks Like at 60

A $45,000 TFSA at age 60 isn’t “done," many Canadians still have plenty of room to build it before 65.

Read more »

dividend stocks are a good way to earn passive income
Dividend Stocks

I’d Buy This TFSA Stock to Deliver $42 in Monthly Income

This monthly dividend stock could help your TFSA generate reliable income today while offering long-term upside as its valuation gap…

Read more »

Investor wonders if it's safe to buy stocks now
Dividend Stocks

How I’d Use a $24,000 TFSA to Collect $58 Every Month

These two Canadian dividend stocks could help you earn regular cash while building long-term TFSA wealth.

Read more »

Retirees sip their morning coffee outside.
Dividend Stocks

A Canadian Dividend Stock Down 34% I’d Buy for Retirement Income

Nutrien’s 35% drop from its 2022 high could offer upside plus income, but only if fertilizer fundamentals keep improving.

Read more »

A train passes Morant's curve in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies.
Dividend Stocks

2 Dividend Stocks Worth Holding Through 2030

Two dividend growers could boost your income by 2030, combining CNQ’s higher yield with CN Rail’s steadier business.

Read more »

Real estate investment concept with person pointing on growth graph and coin stacking to get profit from property
Dividend Stocks

I’d Convert a $16,000 TFSA Into $93 in Reliable Monthly Cash. Here’s How.

A $16,000 investment in these high-yield Canadian dividend stocks would generate more than $93 in tax-free monthly income.

Read more »

woman holding steering wheel is nervous about the future
Dividend Stocks

Here’s What Retirement Savings Often Look Like for Canadians at 55

See what retirement savings really look like for Canadians turning 55, and why RBC stock could help close the gap…

Read more »

man in bowtie poses with abacus
Dividend Stocks

What the Average Canadian TFSA Looks Like at Age 50

See what the average Canadian TFSA looks like at age 50 and how CNR, Constellation Software, and VFV could support…

Read more »