These 3 High-Yield REITs Pay 8%, 10%, and 12% Dividends (2024)

Stocks

By Garrett Baldwin, Executive Producer, Money Morning

Garrett Baldwin

The ongoing spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus has investors flocking to safety. Gold prices hit a seven-year high Thursday, while U.S. Treasury yields plunged yet again.

The 10-year bond hovered at 1.53% - a pittance for investors who are looking out on a decade horizon.

Gold - which doesn't pay a yield - also isn't the most attractive option for anyone seeking income.

And things are only going to get more challenging for income-seeking investors in the months ahead...

Japanese investors - blighted by negative interest rates in their home country - are poised to swarm the U.S. markets with a huge influx of cash that will only suppress American bond yields further.

However, you don't have to settle for weak returns or no-income-generating assets...

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That's why I highly recommend that you explore real estate investment trusts (REITs) as a source of potential asset appreciation and income generation.

REITs produce gobs of cash from rent and other fees generated from properties including office buildings, storage units, multifamily units, and more.

And the three high-yield REITs I'm discussing today produce annual yields of 8%, 10%, and 12%.

High-Yield REITs to Buy No. 3

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CoreCivic Inc. (NYSE: CXW) isn't a popular name among the social justice community.

The firm is a for-profit operator of jails and detention facilities across the United States and along the nation's borders.

The company has long been a target of divestment efforts by activists pushing institutional investors to no longer own units in the company.

Shares have pulled back by roughly 33% from 52-week highs of $24.63 per unit.

However, CXW stands as a potential proxy of U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign.

As Democrats move to shut down Immigration & Customs Enforcement and border detentions, CoreCivic has moved to obtain new contracts with states and the federal government.

With state-run prisons facing overcrowding, firms like CXW provide the government with a cheaper alternative to building new holding facilities.

CXW benefits from government-backed contracts that extend multiple years.

The company's cash flow has grown steadily quarter-over-quarter over the last few years.

The stock is trading at a ridiculously low free-cash-flow level, meaning it is underpriced and provides significant value.

CXW has a dividend of 10.3% and a price target of $23 over the next 12 months. That target represents a potential upside of 35% from today's current price.

High-Yield REITs to Buy No. 2

Uniti Group Inc. (NASDAQ: UNIT) is a REIT that centers on communications infrastructure with an emphasis on the wireless industry.

The company operates more 6 million fiber strand miles and roughly 630 wireless towers across the United States.

Uniti has benefited recently from a settlement proposal to address its ongoing battle with Windstream Holdings Inc. (OTCMKTS: WINMQ)

The proposed merger between T-Mobile US Inc. (NYSE: TMUS) and Sprint Corp. (NYSE: S) is also a major tailwind.

Now, the company can focus on the rollout of 5G and deployment of assets from wireless companies.

The firm could also benefit from the expansion of DISH Network Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH). This will boost its market share as a standalone organization.

The REIT carries an 8.4% yield and has solid upside in the year ahead...

I think UNIT has the potential to climb to $17 per share.

That price target represents upside of 57% ahead.

High-Yield REITs to Buy No. 1

Macerich Co. (NYSE: MAC) is our top high-yield REIT.

The company is the third largest owner and operator of shopping centers in the United States.

The shopping mall industry has faced incredible pressure over the last year, with MAC shares dropping as much as 50% over the last year.

However, a recent deal by Simon Property Group Inc. (NYSE: SMG) has breathed new life into this beaten-down part of the REIT world...

Simon purchased Macerich's rival, Taubman Centers Inc. (NYSE: TCO), for $3.6 billion.

The deal has put Macerich in the crosshairs of other large real estate and private equity groups that may be looking to scoop up cash-yielding assets on the cheap. Macerich is a firm that is worth buying and holding.

Macerich currently pays a massive 12.7% dividend.

And its underlying share price stands to benefit from ongoing deal-making in the space.

The REIT has upside of $40 from current levels in an M&A environment.

That means it could fetch a 71% premium from today's levels.

The Bottom Line

If you're looking to generate yield in today's low-rate environment, then these REITs could be for you.

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Garrett Baldwin

About the Author

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Garrett Baldwin is a globally recognized research economist, financial writer, consultant, and political risk analyst with decades of trading experience and degrees in economics, cybersecurity, and business from Johns Hopkins, Purdue, Indiana University, and Northwestern.

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These 3 High-Yield REITs Pay 8%, 10%, and 12% Dividends (2024)

FAQs

Which REITs pay the highest dividend? ›

The market's highest-yielding REITs
Company (ticker symbol)SectorDividend yield
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust (KREF)Mortgage14.0%
Two Harbors Investment (TWO)Mortgage14.0%
Ares Commercial Real Estate (ACRE)Mortgage13.8%
Brandywine Realty Trust (BDN)Office13.6%
7 more rows
Feb 28, 2024

Which REIT has the best returns? ›

Best-performing REIT stocks: May 2024
SymbolCompanyREIT performance (1-year total return)
DHCDiversified Healthcare Trust162.86%
SLGSL Green Realty Corp.129.09%
UNITUniti Group Inc.88.43%
VNOVornado Realty Trust75.08%
1 more row
4 days ago

What I wish I knew before buying REITs? ›

Must Know #1 - Lower Leverage = Higher Returns

You would think that higher leverage would result in higher returns over time, but it has actually been the opposite in the REIT sector. The conservatively financed REITs have outperformed the aggressively financed REITs in most cases over the long run.

Are high yield REITs risky? ›

Are REITs Risky Investments? In general, REITs are not considered especially risky, especially when they have diversified holdings and are held as part of a diversified portfolio. REITs are, however, sensitive to interest rates and may not be as tax-friendly as other investments.

Are high dividend REITs a good investment? ›

Investing in high-yield REITs comes with its own set of benefits and risks. The primary benefit is, of course, the potential for higher income. This can be particularly appealing in a low-interest-rate environment or for investors who rely on their investment portfolio for regular income.

What is the REIT that pays a monthly dividend? ›

The Top 10 list of companies that have paid monthly dividends in 2022 includes ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc., Orchid Island Capital, Inc., AGNC Investment Corp., Oxford Square Capital Corp., Ellington Residential Mortgage REIT, SLR Investment Corp., PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd., Main Street Capital ...

What is the downside of REITs? ›

Risks of investing in REITs include higher dividend taxes, sensitivity to interest rates, and exposure to specific property trends.

Where is the best place to hold a REIT? ›

Is a Roth or traditional IRA the best choice? To be clear, retirement accounts are ideal places to hold REIT investments, as the benefits of tax-deferred investing can magnify the already tax-advantaged nature of these companies.

How much should I invest in REITs? ›

According to the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (Nareit), non-traded REITs typically require a minimum investment of $1,000 to $2,500.

How many REITs should I own? ›

“I recommend REITs within a managed portfolio,” Devine said, noting that most investors should limit their REIT exposure to between 2 percent and 5 percent of their overall portfolio. Here again, a financial professional can help you determine what percentage of your portfolio you should allocate toward REITs, if any.

How to build passive income with REITs? ›

How Do You Make Money on a REIT? Since REITs are required by the IRS to pay out 90% of their taxable income to shareholders, REIT dividends are often much higher than the average stock on the S&P 500. One of the best ways to receive passive income from REITs is through the compounding of these high-yield dividends.

How do you know if a REIT is good? ›

The 3 most common metrics used to compare the relative valuations of REITs are:
  1. Cap rates (Net operating income / property value)
  2. Equity value / FFO.
  3. Equity value / AFFO.

Do REITs go down in a recession? ›

REITs historically perform well during and after recessions | Pensions & Investments.

What are the dangers of REITs? ›

Some of the main risk factors associated with REITs include leverage risk, liquidity risk, and market risk.

Do REITs lose value when interest rates rise? ›

Rising interest rates hurt not only the value of REITs' property holdings but also the cost of debt to finance those properties or even refinance already-owned assets.

Who currently pays the highest dividends? ›

20 high-dividend stocks
CompanyDividend Yield
Eagle Bancorp Inc (MD) (EGBN)9.68%
Civitas Resources Inc (CIVI)9.45%
Altria Group Inc. (MO)9.18%
CVR Energy Inc (CVI)9.17%
17 more rows
4 days ago

Why is the NLY dividend so high? ›

The first thing to understand about Annaly is that, as a REIT, the company qualifies for special tax advantages. But to get those, Annaly must pay out at least 90% of its annual taxable income in dividends. This is why most REITs are known for having above-average dividend yields, although definitely not 17%.

Is agnc dividend safe? ›

This isn't a company for the faint of heart in a period of uncertainty. In our view, rate cuts won't start until next year. Looking into the glass board from all angles creates a clear picture of management's vision and a most likely landing point. In the meantime, we believe that the dividend is reasonably safe.

What are the top 5 largest REITs? ›

Largest Real-Estate-Investment-Trusts by market cap
#NameM. Cap
1Prologis 1PLD$94.48 B
2American Tower 2AMT$80.11 B
3Equinix 3EQIX$67.48 B
4Welltower 4WELL$56.31 B
57 more rows

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