RioCan REIT announced today it is considering strategic alternatives for its US portfolio. I think this is good news for shareholders. I have never wanted RioCan to stray from its Canadian base, especially now since cap rates in the US have moved lower and the Canadian urban market (particularly downtown Toronto) offers much more attractive returns and better scale for RioCan. Focusing on Toronto will focus RioCan’s expertise. Shareholders should be excited about the urban focus of investment RioCan is continuing on. A sale of US assets could also come at a time of favorable exchange rates and could also free up capital for RioCan, who has been pressured recently by Target Canada vacancies.
