3 reasons why this ASX dividend share is an unmissable buy today

The ASX dividend share Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP) looks irresistibly attractive right now. The value is compelling and the distribution yield is appealing.

This business is Australia's largest listed domestic pure-play industrial real estate investment trust (REIT). Its industrial assets are located across key metropolitan locations throughout Australia, with a quality and diverse tenant base.

Its properties are spread across different segments of the industrial market, with 41% of portfolio value invested in distribution centres, 24% in manufacturing and production, 14% in transport logistics, 13% in data centres and 7% in cold storage.

For a few reasons, I rate this ASX dividend share as one of the best buys right now. Let's get into those ideas.

Solid passive distribution income

It's a difficult time for the REIT sector with rising interest rates, it'd be understandable if certain businesses in the industry have to cut their distribution payouts.

However, Centuria Industrial REIT is one of the few names that could increase the payout in FY27, which shows the quality of the underlying business.

The ASX dividend share expects to grow its annual distribution per security by 3% to 17.3 cents in FY27, following a 3% rise of the distribution in FY26.

At the time of writing, the FY27 projected payout translates into a forward distribution yield of 6.2%, which looks better to me than what term deposits are offering at the moment.

Huge valuation discount

One of the easiest ways to look at the valuation of a REIT is by looking at net asset value (NAV), which is a reflection of the total net value of the property values, the loans, the cash and so on.

Higher interest rates are a (short-term) headwind for property prices, but Centuria Industrial REIT has demonstrated that investors can have a good level of confidence in the NAV figure.

In the first quarter of FY27, being the three months to September 2026, it sold 22 Hawkins Crescent in Bundamba (Queensland) for $34.25 million, which was in line with the balance sheet value (which was part of the NAV). This sale mitigates the potential for extended vacancy risk and reduces exposure to a large-box, urban-fringe asset.

It reported net tangible assets (NTA) per unit of $4.01, so it's trading at an NTA discount of 31%, at the time of writing.

Future rental income growth

A lot of income growth could occur in the next few years for the business, which is one of the main factors that's attractive about this ASX dividend share.

During the first quarter of FY27, it leased around 25,000sqm of industrial space across seven deals. The FY27 re-leasing spreads averaged 31%, meaning the rent is now 31% higher in the new leases compared to the old leases.

The REIT estimates that the portfolio is approximately 17% under-rented on average, suggesting a significant runway for future rental growth beyond FY27.

Additionally, it has signed Australia's largest renewable energy deal among domestic commercial property landlords with leading local distributed energy infrastructure partner Energy Bay, which means it can commercialise its substantial roof space without any capital expenditure and generate a future income stream.

This partnership could also allow the ASX dividend share to offer renewable energy solutions to its tenants.

Centuria Industrial REIT has guided that its rental profit (FFO – funds from operations) could grow up to 5.5% in FY26, which is impressive in the current environment.

The post 3 reasons why this ASX dividend share is an unmissable buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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