Is Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF) the best real estate investment trust (REIT) for income on the ASX?
Rural Funds Group is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns farms and leases them to tenants. Started in 1997, Rural Funds Group now manages $1.2 billion in agricultural assets across New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.
Rural Funds’ New Rental Lease
The REIT announced that it has leased Rewan, a central Queensland cattle property, to Australian Agricultural Company Ltd (ASX: AAC) for 10 years.
The lease is subject to approval by the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). But, the lease rate and terms are consistent with other Rural Funds cattle properties.
Rural Funds has been busy with capital expenditure and operational improvements which have increased the value and productivity of the property. The gains and lease bring forward an increase of income generated by the farm.
But that’s not the end of it. Rural Funds Management anticipates further improvements to Rewan will still be achieved for the benefit of both parties.
Is Rural Funds The Best REIT For Income?
The REIT has a number of positive attributes. The first being a solid yield. Despite a strong share price appreciation, its forecast FY20 distribution yield is 4.7% and pays quarterly, so you would get a yield of almost 1.2% every quarter.
It offers this yield despite having quite a low REIT payout ratio of 79%. Rural Funds has a 4% annual growth target of the distribution, which is comfortably more than inflation at the moment.
Another good element to Rural Funds is that its tenants are in place for a long time. Its weighted average lease expiry (WALE) was 11.4 years at 31 December 2018 taking into account its latest acquisitions. Rental income being locked in for the long-term is attractive.
I also like the Rural Funds is increasing its diversification as the years go by. It is adding new tenants, more properties and farms in different sectors such as cattle and cotton.
Some of Rural Funds’ farms are linked to CPI inflation and others have fixed indexation. It’s good that Rural Funds is increasing its fixed indexation due to how low inflation has gone.
Is Rural Funds A Buy?
Looking at its latest adjusted net asset value per share/unit (NAV) of $1.75 at 31 December 2018, it’s trading at a 31% premium to its previously stated underlying value. This does seem pricey, although lower interest rates justify a higher price.
However, the reliable shares in the free report below look like they’re better value and could also provide good income.
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Disclosure: Jaz owns shares of Rural Funds at the time of writing, but this could change at any time.
