CINCINNATI, March 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: PECO) (“PECO” or the “Company”), one of the nation’s largest owners and operators of high-quality, grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping centers, will announce its First Quarter 2026 earnings results on Thursday, April 23, 2026, after the market closes. PECO’s earnings release and financial supplement will be posted on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at https://investors.phillipsedison.com/. Chai ...

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Core Viewpoint - Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO) has received a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, indicating a positive outlook for the company's stock price [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Institutional investors often rely on earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to significant price movements when estimates are revised [4]. Company Performance and Outlook - The recent upgrade in the Zacks rating for Phillips Edison & Company reflects an improvement in its underlying business, which is expected to positively influence its stock price [5][10]. - For the fiscal year ending December 2026, the company is projected to earn $2.74 per share, with a 1.6% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have averaged a +25% annual return since 1988 [7][9]. - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places Phillips Edison & Company in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Company Overview - Phillips Edison & Company operates grocery-anchored shopping centers, generating revenue primarily from leasing retail space to national and regional tenants [5] - The company employs a vertically integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) model, focusing on necessity-based retail properties to drive consistent rental income and long-term asset appreciation [5] - As of February 17, 2026, the company reported a revenue of $726.59 million and a net income of $111.28 million, with a dividend yield of 3.56% [4] Recent Transaction - On February 17, 2026, Sophron Capital Management sold 202,175 shares of Phillips Edison & Company, with an estimated transaction value of $7.02 million [2] - The fund's quarter-end position in PECO decreased in value by $6.48 million, reflecting both the sale and underlying price movement [2] Portfolio Impact - Following the sale, Phillips Edison & Company now represents 4.2% of Sophron Capital Management's 13F AUM, down from 6.1% the prior quarter [6] - The top five holdings of Sophron Capital Management include other real estate investment trusts, indicating a continued focus on income-producing real estate assets [6][7] Performance Analysis - Shares of Phillips Edison & Company were priced at $38.38, reflecting a 9% increase over the past year, but underperforming the S&P 500's approximately 16% gain in the same period [6] - The company reported a significant increase in net income for 2025, rising to $111.3 million from $62.7 million the previous year, with Nareit funds from operations reaching $353.1 million [8] Market Stability - Grocery-anchored centers tend to generate durable cash flows due to tenants selling essential goods, making them a core holding for funds even when individual positions are trimmed [9]

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Company Overview - Phillips Edison is positioned as a strong investment opportunity due to its robust internal growth from a high-quality property portfolio and a strong acquisition, development, and redevelopment program, which contribute to external growth [4] - The company focuses on necessity-based retail, specifically neighborhood shopping centers that provide essential goods, which has proven to be a stable business model across multiple economic cycles [5] Leadership and Team - The leadership team includes Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO Jeffrey Edison, President Bob Myers, and CFO John Caulfield, indicating a strong management presence [3]

Summary of Phillips Edison & Company (NasdaqGS:PECO) 2026 Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Phillips Edison & Company (PECO) - **Industry**: Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), focusing on grocery-anchored shopping centers - **Key Executives Present**: Jeff Edison (CEO), Bob Myers (President), John Caulfield (CFO) [1][2] Core Investment Thesis - **Strong Internal Growth**: PECO has a high-quality portfolio that generates significant internal growth [2] - **External Growth Opportunities**: The company is actively engaged in acquisitions and redevelopment, enhancing its growth potential [2] - **Focus on Necessity-Based Retail**: PECO targets neighborhood shopping centers that provide essential goods, which have shown stability across economic cycles [3] Portfolio and Performance Metrics - **Portfolio Size**: Approximately 330 shopping centers, with 65 being grocery-anchored [4] - **Occupancy Rates**: - Overall occupancy: 97.3% - Inline occupancy: 95.1% - Anchor occupancy: 98.7% [4] - **Leasing Spreads**: - Renewal spreads: Over 20% - New leasing spreads: Between 30%-35% [4][10] - **Cost Efficiency**: Retention costs are low, averaging $0.24 per square foot compared to $50-$60 for competitors [5] Market Dynamics - **Limited New Supply**: There has been minimal construction in the grocery-anchored shopping center space, contributing to high occupancy levels [8] - **Competitive Landscape**: The industry remains fragmented, with PECO leveraging its strong position to negotiate favorable lease terms [6][11] Acquisition Strategy - **Acquisition Targets**: PECO aims for $400 million-$500 million in acquisitions for the year, with $300 million achievable without additional equity [26][31] - **Disciplined Buying Approach**: The company targets grocery-anchored properties with a minimum unlevered IRR of 9% and Everyday Retail with 10% [31] - **Market Opportunities**: PECO has identified approximately 5,800 grocery-anchored centers and over 50,000 Everyday Retail opportunities that fit its criteria [30] Financial Guidance and Projections - **FFO Growth Target**: PECO aims for mid to high single-digit growth in FFO per share, with a dividend yield of 3%-4% [22] - **Bad Debt Management**: Anticipated bad debt is between 60-100 basis points, with historical performance showing resilience during economic downturns [64][70] Technological Integration - **AI Initiatives**: PECO is investing in AI to enhance operational efficiency, with 21 ongoing projects aimed at improving decision-making and cost management [75][76] Conclusion - **Investment Rationale**: PECO's focus on necessity-based retail, strong occupancy rates, disciplined acquisition strategy, and technological advancements position it well for sustainable growth in a competitive market [58][64]

Core Viewpoint - Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO) has announced a public offering of $350 million in senior unsecured notes with a 4.750% interest rate, maturing in 2033, to support various corporate purposes [1][2]. Group 1: Offering Details - The public offering is priced at 99.920% of the principal amount and is expected to settle on February 26, 2026, pending customary closing conditions [1]. - The notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by PECO [1]. Group 2: Use of Proceeds - The net proceeds from the offering will be used for general corporate purposes, including repaying borrowings under the revolving credit facility, term loans, acquiring additional properties, capital expenditures, and working capital [2]. Group 3: Underwriters - The offering is managed by a consortium of financial institutions including Wells Fargo Securities, BMO Capital Markets, and BofA Securities, among others [3]. Group 4: Company Overview - PECO is one of the largest owners and operators of grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping centers in the U.S., managing 324 shopping centers as of December 31, 2025, with a total of 33.5 million square feet across 31 states [6]. - The company focuses on creating grocery-anchored shopping experiences and improving communities [6].

Core Insights - Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO) will participate in Citi's 2026 Global Property CEO Conference on March 2, 2026, at 8:10 a.m. ET [1] Group 1: Presentation Details - The roundtable presentation will feature Chairman and CEO Jeff Edison, President Bob Myers, and CFO John Caulfield [2] - The presentation is scheduled for March 2, 2026, from 8:10 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. ET, and a webcast replay will be available approximately one hour after the presentation [3] Group 2: Company Overview - PECO is one of the largest owners and operators of grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping centers in the U.S., founded in 1991 [4] - As of December 31, 2025, PECO managed 324 shopping centers, including 297 wholly-owned centers totaling 33.5 million square feet across 31 states [4] - The company focuses on creating omni-channel shopping experiences and improving communities through its shopping centers, which feature national and regional retailers [4]

Core Viewpoint - Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO) will participate in the Citi's 2026 Global Property CEO Conference, highlighting its position as a major player in the grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping center market [1]. Group 1: Presentation Details - The roundtable presentation is scheduled for March 2, 2026, from 8:10 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. ET [3]. - Key speakers include Chairman and CEO Jeff Edison, President Bob Myers, and CFO John Caulfield [2][3]. - A webcast of the presentation will be available approximately one hour after its conclusion [3]. Group 2: Company Overview - PECO is one of the largest owners and operators of grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping centers in the U.S., founded in 1991 [4]. - As of December 31, 2025, PECO managed 324 shopping centers, including 297 wholly-owned centers totaling 33.5 million square feet across 31 states [4]. - The company focuses on creating omni-channel shopping experiences and improving communities through its shopping centers, featuring major grocery anchors like Kroger, Publix, Albertsons, and Ahold Delhaize [4].