Stephan Richford, managing director, investment and corporate banking at BMO Capital Markets, participated in a video interview at Nareit’s REITweek: 2023 Investor Conference, held in New York June 6-8.
Richford said regarding what investors are most interested in hearing about from REITs this year, it usually comes down to sector-specific themes, noting that return to office and supply issues being among the most discussed.
“If I had to break it down for [all REITs], I would say three things,” he said. “One, balance sheet management. Two…the fundamentals of their existing business; and three is price discovery [as a] catalyst for value creation.”
Richford also discussed BMO’s recent Farm to Market Conference in New York, including sessions that examined ESG topics like the growth of the carbon market.
“We’re looking at [becoming engaged on ESG topics] as an opportunity,” Richford said. “We think it’s the opportunity of our generation, and I think we’re trying to be front-footed on it.”
Turning to the value that BMO Capital Markets can offer to REITs, Richford said the bank is a leading underwriter of equity in all formats and a large capital provider to the REIT sector.