Strong Balance Sheets and Long Leases Help Large REITs Withstand Rising Rates
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Fortress balance sheets with investment grade ratings help protect dividends through lower financing costs. Realty Income is a good example.
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Well-laddered debt maturity profiles isolate refinancing risks and preserve cash flows. Alexandria Real Estate has no near term maturities.
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Long lease terms reduce tenant turnover costs and cash flow volatility. Realty Income's average lease is 9.6 years.
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Small cap REITs face tightening bank lending, so larger REITs have an M&A advantage. STAG Industrial plans $3B in deals.
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Higher rates have shifted bargaining power to tenants, so long leases protect landlords. Office REITs like Alexandria face more risk.