Sir John Templeton and his 16 rules for investment success are required reading for any serious investor. And amid the volatility lately, I’ve been thinking a lot on one of these rules in particular:

“The investor who says, ‘This time is different,’ when in fact it’s virtually a repeat of an earlier situation, has uttered among the four most costly words in the annals of investing.”

Yes, it feels like the Russian invasion of Ukraine has opened a new chapter in geopolitics. And yes, it feels like we are on the cusp of something big with inflationary pressures, the threat of higher interest rates and other disruptions.

But before you panic, keep in mind Sir John Templeton’s words.

The headlines may be new, but we’ve been here before.

Successful investing in the long run relies on fundamental truths that are worth following regardless of short-term gyrations in the S&P 500 or the Dow. If we let hard times shake our resolve and take our eye off long-term total returns, we ultimately live to regret it

As long-time Contrarian Outlook readers know, one of the tried-and-true rules of investing is to focus on low-risk investments that offer reliable income over the long-run.

And right now, you won’t find better examples of this approach than these three commercial real estate REITs.

Commercial Real Estate is Still a Cash Cow

First, let’s talk some fundamentals about commercial real estate that are worth remembering, and remain relevant even now despite the risks of war, inflation and higher rates.

  • Inflation hedge: Historically, commercial real estate has provided a hedge against inflation. Just as land is a hard asset for homeowners or real estate speculators, it’s also a store of value for the office operators who own space in in-demand areas.
  • Persistent urban demand: Though the pandemic has changed life in the big city, it certainly hasn’t driven people into the wide open spaces of the Midwest for good. There is still strong demand for prime real estate in Manhattan, San Francisco or Washington, D.C., among top businesses who see value in urban workforces and in-office collaboration.
  • Long-term rent reliability: Most commercial real estate leases are a minimum of three years in length. That means you can bank on reliable revenue that rolls in to landlords from tenants.

These bullish factors have been big reasons for income investors to focus on this sector in the past. And in 2022, these reasons only seem more relevant than ever before.

So why get tied up in knots, trying to figure out why this time is “different?”

Why not just ride these time-tested truths to consistent income – quarter after quarter, year after year?

3 Rock-Solid REITs Yielding 7.8%+ or Better

Let’s get right into three of my favorite stocks and what they have to offer:

Starwood Property Trust, Inc. (STWD) operates as a real estate investment trust in the U.S., Europe, and Australia. It does a bit of residential mortgage business, but cashes in big on its commercial and infrastructure lending. Shares have held up better year-to-date in 2022 than the rest of the stock market, and throw off a tremendous 8.1% yield to give investors incentive to buy and hold.

Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc. (BXMT) is a real estate finance company that originates senior loans collateralized by commercial properties in North America, Europe, and Australia. Its diversified portfolio has done quite well over the last six months even amid broader challenges for the stock market, and it yields 7.8% right now.

Claros Mortgage Trust, Inc. (CMTG) specializes in commercial real estate mortgages. The dynamics are obviously a bit different than the residential market, but similarly driven by tight inventories. CMTG yields an impressive 8.2% at current pricing, and shares have been rock solid over the last several months despite uncertainty and volatility. Shares have only been listed since November, but have outperformed the broader market since then.

— Jeff Reeves

Reliable Income for Decades to Come [sponsor]

Admittedly, these commercial real estate stocks aren’t the sexiest picks on Wall Street. But long-term income investors know the market’s best high-yield dividend names don’t need flashy packaging.

The appeal is quiet and consistent income for decades to come, not big moves made in a single session.

If you’re the kind of investors who prefers generous and reliable dividends to “all or nothing” tech stocks, then check out the “Perfect Income” portfolio that features under-the-radar stocks that are delivering 4X the investment income of their peers.

The Perfect Income Portfolio is built on a few core principles:

  • Consistent and predictable dividends
  • Resilience amid market turmoil
  • Double-digit total returns thanks to massive yields

You, too, can tap into this consistent strategy for reliable income. But more importantly, you can find the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have a time-tested strategy on your side.

Take control of your portfolio and tap into 4x your current income with this simple, straightforward system. Click here to get a FREE copy of the Perfect Income Portfolio report, including tickers, dividend yields, full analyses of each pick … and a few other bonuses!

Source: Contrarian Outlook