Is it Wise to Retain Macerich Stock in Your Portfolio Now?

Core Insights - The Macerich Company (MAC) is positioned to benefit from its portfolio of premium shopping centers in vibrant markets, focusing on omnichannel retailing and mixed-use asset development for long-term growth [1][2][3] - However, the rise of e-commerce and a highly leveraged balance sheet present challenges for the company [1][10] Group 1: Growth Drivers - Macerich has a high concentration of premium malls in densely populated U.S. markets, which allows for strong cash flow generation due to affluent consumers [2] - The company is enhancing asset quality and customer relationships through the adoption of an omnichannel model and focusing on mixed-use properties [3] - An aggressive capital-recycling program is in place, involving the sale of non-core assets to invest in higher-growth properties and reduce leverage [4] Group 2: Recent Transactions - Macerich is under contract to sell Lakewood and Valley Mall, expected to close in the second half of 2025 [5] - The company recently sold Atlas Park for $72 million and announced the acquisition of Crabtree Mall for $290 million [5] - Redevelopment of the northeast quadrant of Green Acres Mall is anticipated to open in 2026 [6] Group 3: Performance Metrics - Over the past three months, Macerich's shares have increased by 10.1%, outperforming the industry growth of 0.2% [6] - The company expects total revenues to rise by 11.4% in 2025 [2] Group 4: Challenges - Despite a rebound in mall traffic post-pandemic, the convenience of online shopping continues to impact brick-and-mortar stores negatively [8] - The company faces challenges from tenant bankruptcies, including Forever 21 and Express, which could affect performance in upcoming quarters [9] - As of June 30, 2025, Macerich's total pro-rata share of debt was approximately $6.88 billion, with a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 7.93X, indicating a highly leveraged balance sheet [10]