Simon Property, the biggest U.S. mall operator, plans to have at least half of its 200 retail properties up-and-running by next week as coronavirus lockdown restrictions ease.

Q1 2020 Simon Property Group Inc Earnings Call

SPG earnings call for the period ending March 31, 2020.

The real estate sector includes companies that own, develop, and manage residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Each of these three real estate segments includes publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs).

One of the most important lessons of dividend investing is: If the yield looks too good to be true, it probably is. The coronavirus pandemic has driven up dividend yields as it's crushed stock prices, but with companies' earnings forecasts thrown into disarray, the same guideline applies -- a high yield is more likely to be a mirage than an opportunity. Annaly Capital Management (NYSE: NLY) is one of the premier mortgage real estate investment trusts (REITs).

Simon Property's (SPG) Q1 results reflect the adverse impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the resultant temporary closure of its U.S. retail properties.

Tanger and Simon are struggling through a difficult period for malls, but Simon looks better positioned for the long term

Shares of mall-focused real estate investment trust Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG) rose as much as 12% in the first half hour of the trading day on May 18. Following closely behind was Macerich (NYSE: MAC), which was up 11%, and factory outlet specialist Tanger Factory Outlet Centers (NYSE: SKT). Trailing a little behind this trio was Pennsylvania REIT (NYSE: PEI), which was up in the high single digits.

U.S. stocks tumbled into the close on Tuesday as investors continued to weigh efforts to reopen economies against the risk of setbacks in the fight against coronavirus.

U.S. stock index futures ticked higher on Tuesday on hopes that the easing of virus-led business shutdowns would help jump-start a battered global economy, with investors also weighing the risks of reopening too soon. Adding to the upbeat mood, China announced a new list of 79 U.S. products including ores of rare earth metals, gold ores and silver ores for waivers from retaliatory tariffs.

Stock futures are higher; Elon Musk is reopening Tesla's California plant in defiance of coronavirus shutdown orders; Simon Property to reopen half its malls this week.

U.S. stock index futures ticked higher on Tuesday as China's move to waive off tariffs on some U.S imports added to hopes that the easing of virus-led business shutdowns would help jump-start a battered global economy. China announced a new list of 79 U.S. products including ores of rare earth metals, gold ores and silver ores for waivers from retaliatory tariffs, amid continued pressure on Beijing to boost imports from the United States.

The S&P 500 struggled for direction on Tuesday as the risks of reopening the economy too soon overshadowed hopes of a jump-start to a battered global economy, following an easing of virus-led business shutdowns. Among the 11 major sectors, financial stocks, which generally lag when the economic outlook dims, weighed the most on the S&P 500. Optimism about an economic recovery and massive stimulus measures have helped the benchmark index climb about 34% from the lows of a pandemic-driven selloff in March.

Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG) told analysts it planned to open half of its shopping malls this week. Last month, it was reported last month that Simon intended to begin reopening almost 50 malls the first week of May as states permitted. CEO David Simon said, "we are now leading the effort for these local economies to get back to business while delivering a new elevated standard of safety for all."

Simon isn't a bad REIT, but Federal Realty is an even better option when it comes to owning retail properties today.

Fairholme leader introduces 4 new holdings to equity portfolio Continue reading...

Among the 11 major sectors, financial stocks, which generally lag when the economic outlook darkens, weighed the most on the S&P 500. Optimism about an economic recovery and massive stimulus measures have helped the benchmark index climb about 34% from the lows of a pandemic-driven selloff in March. Leading U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci on Tuesday warned Congress that while the federal government is working to help manufacture a vaccine against the new coronavirus, its development "might take some time" to come to market.

With that in mind, here's why I bought U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), Planet 13 Holdings (OTC: PLNH.F), and Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG) in recent weeks as the pandemic continues. At the start of 2020, the stock traded for roughly double its book value, which is actually par for the course for U.S. Bancorp.

The average year-over-year decline in foot traffic at eight malls in seven states from May 1-11 was 75%, according to Placer.ai.

The company said it would commit to a quarterly dividend and fully expects its tenants to honor their lease commitments.