Here’s Why STORE Capital is a Great Dividend Stock

September 29, 2020

STORE Capital Corp (NYSE: STOR) is finding favour with investors again as the REIT’s shares surged by 4.2% on Monday.

Tim’s Take:

STORE Capital has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. STORE – which stands for Single Tenant Operational Real Estate – has seen its shares fall 25% so far in 2020 (although they’ve more than doubled off their March lows).

That’s not been a surprise. Its tenant base has been hard hit by the pandemic – the likes of restaurants, day-care centres, cinemas and health clubs, many of which were shut or operating at limited capacity during the worst of the lockdown in the US.

But is it time for investors to take a chance on this REIT? One thing in its favour is the fact that Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE: BRK.B) recently bought an additional 5.8 million shares of STORE Capital to add to the 18.6 million it already owned.

Operating in what’s known as the “Net Lease” sector, STORE Capital affords investors the ability to buy into REITs that own free-standing buildings with long-term lease contracts.

It’s an increasingly popular space for REITs to operate in given the broader reliability of rental income (in normal times anyway).

Recovering rental collections

In STORE’s case, the REIT is certainly recovering from its recent hammering. After having collected just 67% of rent in May, this has progressively picked up and hit 86% and 88%, respectively, in August and September, according to the company. 

Meanwhile, its properties that were open for business rose to 98% in September, from 93% in August. The REIT’s portfolio has investments in over 2,500 properties across the US so it ticks the diversification box from the risk perspective.

Its latest second-quarter numbers saw adjusted funds from operations (FFO) of US$0.44 per share while it still paid out a dividend of US$0.35. That was amid a scenario where a number of tenants were not able to pay rent.

Currently yielding 5%, and having the honour of being the only REIT in Berkshire’s portfolio, the company looks like a strong recovery play once the US economy – eventually – fully recovers.

Investors could be waiting a while for that but real estate, and STORE’s dividend, don’t look like they’re going anywhere any time soon.

Disclaimer: ProsperUs Head of Content Tim Phillips doesn’t own shares of any companies mentioned.

This material is categorised as non-independent for the purposes of CGS-CIMB Securities (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. and its affiliates (collectively “CGS-CIMB”) and therefore does not provide an impartial or objective assessment of the subject matter and does not constitute independent research. Consequently, this material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of research. Therefore, this material is considered a marketing communication.

This material is general in nature and has been prepared for information purposes only. It is intended for circulation amongst CGS-CIMB’s clients generally and does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person who may receive this material. The information and opinions in this material are not and should not be construed or considered as an offer, recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell the subject securities, derivative contracts, related investments or other financial instruments or any derivative instrument, or any rights pertaining thereto. CGS-CIMB have not, and will not accept any obligation to check or ensure the adequacy, accuracy, completeness, reliability or fairness of any information and opinion contained in this material. CGS-CIMB shall not be liable in any manner whatsoever for any consequences (including but not limited to any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits and damages) of any reliance thereon or usage thereof.

Tim Phillips

Tim, based in Singapore but from Hong Kong, caught the investing bug as a teenager and is a passionate advocate of responsible long-term investing as a great way to build wealth.

He has worked in various content roles at Schroders and the Motley Fool, with a focus on Asian stocks, but believes in buying great businesses – wherever they may be. He is also a certified SGX Academy Trainer.

In his spare time, Tim enjoys running after his two young sons, playing football and practicing yoga.

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