Health care real estate firms nail down $7.4 billion merger

Sabra Health Care REIT and Care Capital Properties have agreed to an all-stock merger, creating a health care real estate investment trust with a $7.4 billion market cap. The new company, which will take the Sabra name and executive team, will predominantly own assisted-living and skilled-nursing facilities for seniors.

Between the lines: Real estate investment trusts make their money by owning properties and collecting rent from the tenants. Sabra sees the aging baby boomer population as an opportunity to make more money and wants to become a major landlord of properties that treat elderly patients.