George Doyle
You might think that because investors have regained some confidence, they are less inclined to plough money into high-yielding equities. With markets rising, this should be the era of growth stocks.
If you think that way, you would be wrong. At least when it comes to real estate.
Add up all of the recently announced offerings, including four this week, and throw in expected totals from current IPOs, and the sector is on track to raise $1.2-billion in about one month.
For pure real estate investment trusts, RioCan REIT and Morguard North American REIT have already raised $175-million and $151-million each. Add in firms like Extendicare Inc. and First Capital Realty, which raised $110-million of convertible bonds and $240-million of new units, respectively, and you're already at $675-million.
On top of those, Regal Lifestyle Communities has already announced plans for a $136-million initial public offering, and Dundee Industrial REIT is expected to raised $176-million.
Despite the staggering numbers, no one really seems surprised at the success of this sector anymore. It's been churning out deals for so long that most people just sort of expect it, I suppose. But since the worst of the Great Recession, there hasn't been a sector that's been as consistently hot, and that's something worth noting.
Tim Kiladze