Spirit Finance Makes Large-Scale Move

Spirit Finance (SFC Quote) announced plans Wednesday for an $815.3 million acquisition of retailer ShopKo's real estate assets, a move that could help ease investors' fears about the real estate investment trust's ability to meet its impressive growth target this year.

Spirit Finance, which went public in 2004, operates in the triple-net lease sector. REITs operating such properties -- which are long-term leased with very minimal rent growth each year -- aren't known for reporting impressive growth results. Instead, investors are rewarded with high dividends.

TheStreet.com highlighted Spirit Finance as an attractive yield candidate in April. ...