A Sears in Oxford, AL, one of hundreds that retail chains have slated for closing over the next few months. (Photo courtesy of Quintard Mall)

CLEVELAND—Retail REITs’ steady stride is likely to be broken by the wave of tenant bankruptcies and planned closings, according to analysts at RBC Capital Markets. “It’s too early to say just how extensive the store closings might be, and, in most cases, we expect the REITs will simply re-tenant lost space at higher rents,” write RBC analysts Rich Moore and James Bambrick, based in Cleveland. “Nonetheless, the unexpected closings are likely to dampen operating metrics near term.”