Why I Couldn’t Resist Buying More of This High-Yield Dividend Stock

Like so several shares, shares of AvalonBay Communities (AVB -.86%) have taken it on the chin this 12 months. The serious estate expenditure trust (REIT) has lost a quarter of its price owing primarily to the Federal Reserve’s determination to raise fascination charges to combat inflation. Larger desire rates have historically weighed on REIT inventory costs. That pushes up their dividend yields to compensate traders for their higher hazard profile relative to other money-centered investments like bonds and lender CDs.   

As someone who likes to generate passive revenue, I couldn’t resist the prospect to increase to my situation and lock in a 3.4% dividend produce, a lot more than double the S&P 500‘s regular these days. AvalonBay has been a solid cash flow producer more than the decades and should proceed delivering for earnings buyers like me in the potential.   

Sturdy dividend cash flow

AvalonBay has been a dependable dividend stock over the a long time. The apartment-focused household REIT has shipped approximately 3 decades of dividend balance and growth. Though it has not improved its dividend payment just about every calendar year, AvalonBay has grown it at a 5% annualized price over-all due to the fact its first general public supplying in 1994. AvalonBay’s ability to sustain its dividend all through some pretty tough intervals for the economy is a testomony to its resilient small business design and balance sheet.

A single of the keys to the REIT’s good results is its significant-quality condominium portfolio. It owns 296 apartment communities with 87,918 apartment properties across a dozen states and the District of Columbia. It has traditionally focused on primary metro places alongside the coasts like New York, Seattle, and Los Angeles, owning both of those city and suburban residences. Demand for flats in main metros tends to develop steadily. That keeps occupancy stages superior and allows AvalonBay to boost rents. 

The REIT further supports its dividend with a conservative dividend payout ratio and an elite balance sheet. These elements make its significant-yielding dividend fairly minimal chance.

Solid sector ailments

AvalonBay’s rock-reliable large-yielding dividend is only part of the attract. Need for flats is sturdy these days. Owing to soaring housing charges, it is too expensive for numerous renters to take into account shopping for a property. That’s foremost many to keep on renting despite sharply rising rental rates owing to robust need and occupancy amounts. AvalonBay just lately reported that occupancy across its portfolio strike 96.5% in May perhaps, up from 96.4% in April and 96.3% for the duration of the to start with quarter. As a consequence, rental rates carry on to rise. They grew 13.8% yr more than 12 months in May, an boost from April and the initially-quarter expansion fee. Rents are increasing swiftest in city communities as additional men and women shift back to cities and head again to the business at least component of the time. 

The housing market isn’t really probable to increase anytime shortly. You will find a growing lack of residences for the reason that builders haven’t retained up with demand from customers coming out of the monetary disaster, leading to a just about 1 million one-family members residence shortage by one estimate. For the reason that of that, property costs could continue to keep rising. In the meantime, increased desire rates are making it value more to take out a property finance loan. The escalating unaffordability of acquiring a household will most likely force a lot more folks to continue renting. Regretably, you will find an at any time-expanding shortage of residences, with one estimate indicating we are 1 million brief of demand from customers. That indicates occupancy will keep on being significant across AvalonBay’s portfolio, which must drive continued robust hire expansion.

Meanwhile, AvalonBay has quite a few other progress drivers. The REIT has been steadily selling communities in slower-increasing markets to extend into speedier-increasing ones in the Sun Belt region. It really is also establishing several new apartment communities and has a $4 billion development legal rights pipeline to continue escalating. AvalonBay has also started off assisting fund new third-bash developments by large-yielding mezzanine and favored fairness investments. At last, it has enough financial ability to pursue new investments as prospects emerge. This mix of catalysts should help AvalonBay to keep on increasing its funds circulation, offering more assist for its higher-yielding dividend that it really should be in a position to continue to keep expanding in the potential.

A significant-generate inventory with important upside probable

Investors are acutely concentrated on increasing curiosity charges these days, triggering them to provide off REITs. While this strain could continue to be for a although, I could not resist having the prospect to insert to my place in AvalonBay and lock in its greater dividend generate. The condominium REIT need to go on to gain from the restricted housing marketplace. That must permit it to maintain increasing its funds circulation and dividend and develop an interesting full return in the coming yrs.