NEWTON, MASS. — Diversified Healthcare Trust (DHC), a metro Boston-based REIT focused on healthcare and life sciences, will reduce its regular quarterly cash dividend on shares of common stock from 15 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 1 cent per share in the first quarter of 2020. The capital-saving move comes in response to the operating challenges and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and market disruptions, and is estimated to conserve approximately $33.3 million in cash per quarter. The REIT will reassess its position on a quarterly basis. DHC also expects to conserve capital by deferring certain nonessential capital investments that are expected to save up to $150 million in 2020. DHC’s medical office and life science portfolio includes approximately 12 million square feet across more than 420 properties located in 39 states and Washington, D.C.