Real estate investment trusts, which hit hard times along with the rest of the economy two years ago, are coming back, with 35 percent of them paying higher quarterly dividends in 2011.
The Wall Street Journal cites a report by SNL Financial that found 49 of 140 REIT stocks tracked by SNL had increases of 5 percent or more.
"The higher payouts come at a time when commercial landlords are charging higher rents, increasing occupancy levels and delivering robust stock returns, which are boosting the income pool for dividends," the Journal reported in its Developments serction.
In 2009, by contrast, 43 percent of REITs cut dividends or had to suspend them altogether.
