5 ‘Fed-Friendly' REITs Paying Up To 13%

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates, which is expected to benefit real estate investment trusts (REITs) as their dividends become more attractive compared to declining bond yields [2][3]. REITs and Interest Rates - REITs act as "bond proxies," moving in opposition to interest rates, and typically rally when rates fall [3]. - Historical trends indicate that REITs tend to perform well once the bond market adjusts to rate cuts [3]. REITs with High Dividend Yields - Healthpeak Properties (DOC) offers a 6.5% dividend yield and owns 702 properties in outpatient medical, labs, and senior housing, showing signs of recovery since the September rate cut [4]. - Broadstone Net Lease (BNL) has a 6.3% dividend yield, focusing on single-tenant commercial properties with a portfolio of 766 properties across 44 states and four Canadian provinces [4][5]. - Global Net Lease (GNL) provides a 9.4% dividend yield, operating a 911-property portfolio across 10 countries, with significant improvements in operations and a recent credit rating upgrade [7][9]. Company Transformations and Strategies - Broadstone has shifted its portfolio focus away from healthcare properties, which now account for less than 4% of annualized base rent, while industrial properties make up about 60% [5]. - GNL has sold its multitenant retail portfolio for $1.8 billion, enhancing occupancy and net operating income margins, while also reducing net debt by $2 billion [9]. - Armada Hoffler Properties (AHH) and Brandywine Realty Trust (BDN) are hybrid REITs benefiting from declining rates, but both have cut dividends this year due to financial pressures [10][11]. Challenges and Future Outlook - Brandywine Realty Trust, heavily invested in office space, faces challenges from joint ventures that have led to downward revisions in FFO estimates, although potential relief may come from recapitalization efforts [12]. - The dividend payout for Brandywine was 107% of FFO in the first half of 2025, raising concerns about liquidity and sustainability of the high yield [13].