The best real estate investment trusts (REITs) are those that can provide investors with market-beating total returns, which are made up of dividend yield and stock price gain as their market capitalization rises. To achieve those gains, a REIT must be able to boost its dividend by growing the income generated by its real estate assets. An income investor can buy three top REITs with outsized upside potential this month.
Are REITs a good buy now?
- No corporation tax: A company must meet certain criteria in order to be classed as a REIT. It must, for example, invest at least three-quarters of its assets in real estate and pay shareholders at least 90% of its taxable income. If a REIT fits these criteria, it receives a significant tax benefit because it pays no corporate tax, regardless of how profitable it is. Profits from most dividend stocks are effectively taxed twice: once at the corporate level and then again at the individual level when dividends are paid.
- High dividend yields: REITs offer above-average dividend yields because they must pay at least 90% of taxable revenue to shareholders. It could, for example, offer a secure dividend yield of 5% or more, but the typical S&P 500 company yields less than 2%. If you need income or wish to reinvest your dividends and compound your gains over time, a REIT can be a good solution.
- Total return potential: As the value of its underlying assets rises, a REIT’s total return potential rises as well. Real estate values rise over time, and a REIT can grow its worth by employing a variety of tactics. It might either build properties from the ground up or sell valued assets and reinvest the proceeds. A REIT can be a good total return investment when this is combined with substantial dividends.
- REITs were designed to provide average investors with access to commercial real estate assets that would otherwise be out of reach. Most people can’t afford to buy an office tower outright, but there are REITs that can.
- Diversification of your financial portfolio: Most experts think that diversifying your investment portfolio is a smart idea. Despite the fact that REITs are technically stocks, real estate is a distinct asset class from stocks. During difficult economic times, REITs tend to keep their value better than equities, and they’re a terrific way to add stable, predictable income. These are only two examples of how an all-stock portfolio’s inherent risk can be mitigated.
- Real estate transactions might take a long time to buy and sell, but REITs are a very liquid investment. A REIT can be bought or sold at any time. Because traded REITs can be purchased and sold like stocks, it’s simple to receive money when you need it.
- Direct ownership and management of a property is a business that demands time and effort. REIT shareholders do not own the properties or mortgages in its portfolio, thus they do not have to deal with property maintenance or development, landlord services, or rent collection as a property owner or management would.
Are REITs a good investment right now 2021?
REITs, or real estate investment trusts, are considered defensive investments since they are relatively steady regardless of market conditions. Investors have scooped up REITs amid inflation concerns in 2021, and Cramer believes the assets have even more space to run.
“I realize they’re uninteresting. We don’t need anything intriguing right now “Cramer explained. “I want you to grab some damn Visine if your eyes glaze over here because these are the kinds of stocks you might purchase into the weakness.”
The host chose ten REITs that he would recommend to investors looking for a stable return.
How are REITs doing in 2021?
So far in 2021, the REIT sector has posted increases in every month, including a +1.77 percent average total return in May. In May, 58.24% of REIT securities had a positive total return. In May, hotels and student housing REITs outperformed all other property types, while corrections and health care REITs saw the biggest drops.
Why are REITs a bad investment?
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are not for everyone. This is the section for you if you’re wondering why REITs are a bad investment for you.
The major disadvantage of REITs is that they don’t provide much in the way of capital appreciation. This is because REITs must return 90 percent of their taxable income to investors, limiting their capacity to reinvest in properties to increase their value or acquire new holdings.
Another disadvantage is that REITs have very expensive management and transaction costs due to their structure.
REITs have also become increasingly connected with the larger stock market over time. As a result, one of the previous advantages has faded in value as your portfolio becomes more vulnerable to market fluctuations.
Do REITs do well in a recession?
It’s crucial to remember that nothing can fully protect you against a recession. Any venture has weaknesses and hazards, and each economic downturn presents new obstacles.
While no recession is the same as the last, there are some real estate sectors that are more robust during a downturn. Real estate investments that meet people’s basic requirements, such as housing and agriculture, or that provide important services for economic activity, such as data processing, wireless communications, industrial processing and storage, or medical facilities, are more likely to weather the storm.
Investors can own and manage properties in any of the asset classes, but many prefer to invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs) (REIT). REITs can be a more affordable and accessible method for investors to enter into real estate while also obtaining access to institutional-quality investments in a diversified portfolio.
Data centers
We live in a data-driven technology era. Almost everything we do now requires data storage or processing, and the demand for data centers will only grow in the next decades as more technological or data-driven gadgets are released. During recessions, more people stay at home to watch TV, use their computers or smartphones, or, in the case of the recent coronavirus outbreak, work from home, increasing the need on data centers. According to the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, there are currently five data center REITs to select from, with all five up 33.73 percent year to date (NAREIT).
Self-storage
Self-storage is widely regarded as a recession-proof asset type. As budgets tighten, some families downsize, relocating to other places to better their quality of life or pursue a new work opportunity, or downsizing by moving in with each other to save money. This indicates that there is a higher need for storage.
The COVID-19 pandemic, on the other hand, has had an unforeseen influence on the storage industry. While occupancy has remained high, eviction moratoriums and increasing cleaning and safety costs have resulted in lower revenues. According to NAREIT, self-storage REITs are down 3.51 percent year to date. However, this industry is expected to recover swiftly, particularly for companies like Public Storage (NYSE: PSA), the largest publicly traded self-storage REIT, which has a strong credit rating and a diverse portfolio.
Warehouse and distribution
E-commerce has altered the way our economy works. Demand for quality warehousing and distribution centers has soared as more consumers purchase from home than ever before. Oversupply of industrial space, particularly warehouse and distribution space, is a risk, given that this sector has been steadily growing for the past decade; however, as a result of COVID-19, it has already proven to be the most resilient asset class of all commercial real estate, making it an excellent choice for a recession-resistant investment. Prologis (NYSE: PLD), one of the major warehousing and logistics REITS, and Americold Realty Trust (NYSE: COLD), a REIT that specializes in cold storage facilities, have both proven to be quite durable in the present economic situation, with plenty of space for expansion.
Residential housing
People will always require housing. Residential housing, which can range from single-family homes to high-rise flats or retirement communities, fulfills a basic need that is necessary even in difficult economic times. During economic downturns, rents may stagnate and evictions or foreclosures may increase, but residential rentals are a relatively reliable and constant source of income. Despite the COVID-19 challenges, American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH), which specializes in single-family rental housing, and Equity Residential (NYSE: EQR), which specializes in urban high-rises in high-density areas, are two of the largest players in residential housing, both of which have maintained high occupancy and collection rates.
Agriculture
Aside from housing, agriculture and food production are two additional critical services on which our country and the rest of the world rely. Our existing food system is primarily reliant on industrial agriculture, but more and more autonomous and regenerative agricultural projects are springing up, allowing for more crop diversification, increased productivity, and reduced economic and environmental risk.
Wireless communication
Wireless communication has grown into a giant sector, with American Tower (NYSE: AMT) and Crown Castle International (NYSE: CCI) being two of the world’s largest REITs. Cell tower REITs that provide telecommunication services are an important part of our world today, and while growth prospects can be difficult to come by, very good track records and rising demand make this a terrific real estate investment that will weather any economic downturn.
Medical facilities
Medical facilities, senior housing, hospitals, urgent care clinics, and surgery centers all provide a vital service that will always be in demand, even during economic downturns.
Retail centers
Before you abandon ship when you see this category, let me state unequivocally that retail is not dead, at least not in all forms. Grocery stores and other retail outlets that provide critical services and products will continue to be in demand, as they did during the last pandemic. The issue here is for retail REITs to invest in the vital service sector with such focus that other sectors such as tourism, restaurants, or general shopping and goods do not put the company or investment at risk.
What are the safest REITs?
These three REITs are unlikely to appeal to investors with a value inclination. When things are uncertain, though, it is generally wise to stick with the biggest and most powerful names. Within the REIT industry, Realty Income, AvalonBay, and Prologis all fall more generally into that category, as well as within their specific property specialties.
These REITs are likely to have the capital access they need to outperform at the company level in both good and bad times. This capacity should help them expand their leadership positions and back consistent profits over time. That’s the kind of investment that will allow you to sleep comfortably at night, which is probably a cost worth paying for conservative sorts.
Can you lose money in a REIT?
- REITs (real estate investment trusts) are common financial entities that pay dividends to their shareholders.
- One disadvantage of non-traded REITs (those that aren’t traded on a stock exchange) is that investors may find it difficult to investigate them.
- Investors find it difficult to sell non-traded REITs because they have low liquidity.
- When interest rates rise, investment capital often flows into bonds, putting publically traded REITs at danger of losing value.
Which REITs pay the highest dividend?
For income investors, the beauty of REITs is that they are obligated to release 90% of their taxable income to shareholders in the form of dividends each year. REITs often do not pay corporate taxes in exchange.
As a result, several of the 171 dividend-paying REITs we follow have dividend yields of 5% or more.
Bonus: Watch the video below to hear our chat with Brad Thomas on The Sure Investing Podcast about sensible REIT investing.
However, not all high-yielding stocks are a sure bet. To ensure that the high yields are sustainable, investors should carefully examine the fundamentals. This post will go through ten of the highest-yielding REITs on the market with market capitalizations over $1 billion.
While the securities discussed in this article have exceptionally high yields, a high yield on its own does not guarantee a good investment. Dividend security, valuation, management, balance sheet health, and growth are all critical considerations.
We advise investors to take the research below as a guide, but to conduct extensive due diligence before investing in any security, particularly high-yield securities. Many (but not all) high yield securities are at risk of having their dividends cut and/or their business outcomes deteriorate.
High-Yield REIT No. 10: Omega Healthcare Investors (OHI)
Omega Healthcare Investors is one of the most well-known healthcare REITs that focuses on skilled nursing. Senior home complexes account for around 20% of the company’s annual income. The company’s financial, portfolio, and management strength are its three primary selling factors. Omega is the market leader in skilled nursing facilities.
High-Yield REIT No. 9: Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (ARI)
In 2009, Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. was established. It’s a debt-oriented real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in senior mortgages, mezzanine loans, and other commercial real estate-related debt. The underlying real estate properties of Apollo’s investments in the United States and Europe serve as collateral.
Hotels, Office Properties, Urban Pre-development, Residential-for-sale inventory, and Residential-for-sale construction make up Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance’s multibillion-dollar commercial real estate portfolio. Manhattan, New York, the United Kingdom, and the rest of the United States make up the company’s portfolio.
High-Yield REIT No. 8: PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (PMT)
PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in residential mortgage loans and related assets. PMT
Why are REITs attractive?
On the bright side, because most REITs trade on public exchanges, they’re simple to buy and sell, which helps to minimize some of real estate’s conventional downsides. REITs provide attractive risk-adjusted returns and consistent cash flow. A real estate presence can also be beneficial to a portfolio since it provides diversification and dividend-based income, which is generally higher than other investments.
REITs, on the other hand, don’t provide much in the way of capital appreciation. They are required to return 90% of income to investors as part of their structure.
Do REITs pay dividends?
A REIT is a security that invests directly in real estate and/or mortgages, comparable to a mutual fund. Mortgage REITs engage in portfolios of mortgages or mortgage-backed securities, whereas equity REITs invest mostly in commercial assets such as shopping malls, hotel hotels, and office buildings (MBSs). A hybrid REIT is a fund that invests in both. REIT shares are easy to buy and sell because they are traded on the open market.
All REITs have one thing in common: they pay dividends made up of rental income and capital gains. REITs must pay out at least 90% of their net earnings as dividends to shareholders in order to qualify as securities. REITs are given special tax treatment as a result of this; unlike a traditional business, they do not pay corporate taxes on the earnings they distribute. Regardless of whether the share price rises or falls, REITs must maintain a 90 percent payment.
Dividend taxation
REITs pay out higher-than-average dividends and aren’t subject to corporate taxes. The drawback is that REIT earnings don’t always qualify as “qualified dividends,” which are taxed at a lower rate than ordinary income.
REITs qualified for the new 20% pass-through deduction introduced by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act because they are pass-through investment vehicles. REIT dividends, on the other hand, are normally taxed at a higher rate than eligible dividends. If you own REITs through a traditional (taxable) brokerage account, keep this in mind.
Interest rate sensitivity
Interest rate swings can make REITs extremely vulnerable. The most important aspect to remember is that rising interest rates are detrimental for REIT stock values. When a general rule, as the yields on risk-free investments like Treasury securities grow, so do the yields on other income-based investments. The 10-year Treasury yield is a good indication of REIT performance.
Because price and yield are inversely proportional, higher yields imply lower prices. REIT prices and Treasury rates generally move in opposite directions, as shown in the chart below:
