COMMENT
Tough environment for real estate with interest rates rising.

Indeed. In 2022, returns for REITs were down 24% in the US, down 17% in Canada, and down further this year. What's interesting is that private REITs were positive 13% last year. That difference of about 40% has to be explained somehow. 

The big question is who's right, the public or the private market? He actually thinks it's both. It all depends on which sector or geography you're talking about. Interest rates have really changed the return expectations. But when the fundamentals are improving, such as in single-family rentals or industrial warehouse, higher rates are just a headwind but not necessarily going to cause diminishing value. It's the inverse for office, and there's a lot to get through in terms of commercial real estate.

He's quite positive, given the setup in the public markets today.

COMMENT
Selloff is creating value?

Yes, this setup reminds him of opportunities such as the 2008 financial crisis or during the pandemic, where public real estate markets sold off more between 20-40%. An opportunity to buy great quality companies at a discount to NAV. 

In these periods of dislocation, you typically find that the smart money is looking to invest in quality portfolios in the public market. In time, you could see the M&A cycle return, once there's a better outlook and stability in the credit markets.

HOLD

Invests about 80% in industrial warehouse REITs, with the balance in office and retail. Elevated cost of capital, so it's in secondary markets. Above average leverage, resulting in a higher distribution yield. Limited growth because of cost of capital disadvantage. A yield play, not a growth play, and growth is what you want in this space.

DON'T BUY

Disappointing. In Canada, US, and Ireland. Grew with too much leverage and got caught offside. Cut distribution twice. Cashflows under pressure. Small size, high debt profile. Avoid.

HOLD

Great sector, recession resilient, flourishes with life's disasters. Largest operator in Canada. Internal growth 4-6% range, which he thinks is pretty good for a defensive asset class, but the market's less excited. Underperformed this year. Growing cashflow environment.

DON'T BUY

Lots of debt, operating in jurisdictions with currency risk. Bought stable, UK and US assets, but got caught offside with variable-rate debt cutting into cashflow. Cut distribution. Execution risk. Sold off, but don't add.

BUY

Very favourable. Operating effectively, solid operating team. Trades at over 25% discount to NAV. Pursuing strategic alternative since June, and he's hopeful that value will be unlocked.

RISKY

80% of portfolio in Toronto and Montreal. Availability rates are over 16%, yet new builds continue. Sold data centres. Good position on cashflow. Valuation now more compelling. Enticing 9% yield if you're willing to take the risk. Difficult asset class going forward, perhaps better value elsewhere. Many of these stocks look oversold, though he's not willing to place bets today.

HOLD
CAR.UN vs. GRT.UN

Both are quality. Likes both sectors. Likes both, but if he had to choose, he'd pick GRT.UN.

In Quebec and BC, but CAR.UN is mainly a play on Toronto, a fantastic multi-family market, but there is rent control. Great supply/demand fundamentals, but hard to get the cashflow. Outperformed peers, so pullback is understandable.

Industrial warehouse sector continues to do quite well. GRT.UN focuses on Canada, US, and Europe, trading at a nice discount to NAV. Underperformed, not warranted. Concern about oversupply in US, but he thinks they're in a good position. 

BUY
GRT.UN vs. CAR.UN

Both are quality. Likes both sectors. Likes both, but if he had to choose, he'd pick GRT.UN.

In Quebec and BC, but CAR.UN is mainly a play on Toronto, a fantastic multi-family market, but there is rent control. Great supply/demand fundamentals, but hard to get the cashflow. Outperformed peers, so pullback is understandable.

Industrial warehouse sector continues to do quite well. GRT.UN focuses on Canada, US, and Europe, trading at a nice discount to NAV. Underperformed, not warranted. Concern about oversupply in US, but he thinks they're in a good position. 

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Sep 28/22, Down 13%)

Still positive. Sector's doing well. Revised downward expectations of future growth, because higher cost of debt and growing externally with high home prices would have been punitive. Mismatch between NAV and earnings, should turn next year. 

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Sep 28/22, Down 6%)

Best idea today. 35% discount to NAV, with attractive distribution yield while you wait for the gap to close. Owns key pharmacy and grocery across the key urban centres in Canada. Resilient. Great setup.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Sep 28/22, Up 45%)

Got taken out. Traded at a 25% discount in a sector that was in high demand.

HOLD

80% industrial, hoping to get to 90% by end of this year. Still owns some office and retail. Needs to sell assets to lower net debt, and then buy better-quality industrial assets. An execution and show-me story. Above-average debt profile, with an above-average dividend yield of 8.8%. Management's done well. Interest rates are a headwind.

COMMENT
REITs that focus on distressed assets?

His mind went to the office sector. These companies were not set up for office assets, but the reality is that that's where the value is. One is HPP, which focuses on west coast office in San Fran, LA, Seattle, even Vancouver.