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

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

Today’s Perfect TFSA Stock: 6% Monthly Income

SmartCentres REIT stands out as the perfect TFSA stock for Canadians seeking reliable monthly income, and long‑term stability.

Read more »

A modern office building detail
Dividend Stocks

2 Canadian REITs That Look Worth Buying Right Now

SmartCentres REIT (TSX:SRU.UN) and another yield-rich, passive-income play are fit for Canadian value seekers.

Read more »

man gives stopping gesture
Dividend Stocks

2 Stocks That Canadian Retirees May Want to Think Twice About Owning

If you have a long investment horizon and a portfolio geared for retirement planning, these two stocks are investments you…

Read more »

senior man smiles next to a light-filled window
Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks to Buy if Rates Stay Higher for Longer

Higher rates make yield traps more dangerous, so these three dividend names show three different “quality income” approaches.

Read more »

middle-aged couple work together on laptop
Dividend Stocks

5 Canadian Stocks Beginners Can Buy and Hold Forever

These five Canadian stocks offer beginners a mix of simple business models and long-term staying power.

Read more »

Income and growth financial chart
Dividend Stocks

1 Canadian Stock I’d Buy Before Trade Tensions Heat Up Again

Trade tensions can rattle markets, but food companies like Maple Leaf tend to hold steadier because people still need to…

Read more »

farmer holds box of leafy greens
Dividend Stocks

One Canadian Dividend Stock That’s Down 10% — and Worth Holding for the Very Long Term

Nutrien (TSX:NTR) might be down, but shares are too cheap as the TSX Index rallies onward.

Read more »

A plant grows from coins.
Dividend Stocks

The Smartest Dividend Stocks to Buy With $250 Right Now

Start early and invest consistently in solid dividend stocks for long-term wealth creation.

Read more »