Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – Paying Monthly Dividends

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Many investors prefer to purchase securities that pay a monthly dividend instead of one paying quarterly.  The advantages of a monthly payment is 1) it makes for a even amount of dividends received month to month and 2) it reduces the volitility of the shares when going ‘ex-dividend’ (it will move less to the downside on the Ex Dividend date because the size of the dividiend will be 1/3rd the size of a quarterly dividend).

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A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is a company dedicated to owning physical real estate or loaning funds to others for real estate purchases.

Importantly, a real estate investment trust is required to pay vitually all of its taxable income (90%) to its shareholders every year.  A REIT may deduct the dividends paid to its shareholders from its corporate tax bill so long as as the company’s assets are primarily real estate held for the long term, the companys income is mainly derived from real estaeand the company pays out at least 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders.

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The main benefit of a REIT is one level of taxation is removed (the REIT pays no taxes as long as they follow the rules).  The main limitation of being a REIT is the restriction of earnings retained by the REIT.  In order to grow there may not be enough free cash to expand so the REIT will be in a constant process of raising capital (either debt or equity) in order to expand.

Historically REITs have been good dividend payers and depending on the overall economy may make profits from reselling assets which they can then pay to shareholders as well.

The key metric for REITs is FFO (Funds from Operations).  While net income is the normal metric for most common stocks, REITs key off of FFO which essentially is net income with depreciation added back in.  Thus many REITs show net losses while still paying a sizable distribution–this cash is available because depreciation is a non cash expense which may cause net income to be negative while their is free cash because of the non cash charge against income.

Of course there are opportunities for gains and losses on the shares of the REIT, this adds a level of risk to holding REITs so one must analyze the business model just as you would any other investment.

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Tim McPartland

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Tim McPartland
Tim McPartland is a private investor with over 45 years of investing experience. His analysis, research and writing is devoted to the hunt for income producing securities of all types, but in particular specializing in preferred stocks, exchange traded debt and Master Limited Partnerships.
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