Zacks Initiates Coverage of INTG With Underperform Recommendation

Core Viewpoint - Zacks Investment Research has initiated coverage of The InterGroup Corporation (INTG) with an Underperform recommendation due to concerns over the company's ability to generate sustainable shareholder value amid ongoing financial and operational challenges [1] Financial Challenges - InterGroup faces a significant shareholders' deficit of $115.5 million and a heavily leveraged balance sheet, with liabilities exceeding total assets by more than double, constraining financial flexibility [2] - Recent refinancing efforts have extended loan maturities and reduced interest costs, but the company remains vulnerable to liquidity shortfalls due to limited internal cash generation [2] Operational Performance - The Hilton San Francisco Financial District, InterGroup's core asset, is experiencing operational pressure in a sluggish hospitality market, despite outperforming competitors in RevPAR and achieving a 96.7% score on Hilton's quality inspection [3] - Revenue growth is hindered by rising labor costs and reduced one-time fee waivers, leading to continued quarterly losses [3] Market Conditions - Broader issues in San Francisco, such as slow business travel recovery and safety concerns, are negatively impacting investor sentiment and pricing leverage for the property [4] - The hotel's significant contribution to InterGroup's revenues introduces concentration risk [4] Legal and Contingent Liabilities - An unresolved legal dispute involving Portsmouth, a majority-owned subsidiary, and the City of San Francisco may require substantial capital outlay by mid-2026, adding to the company's liquidity constraints [5] Liquidity Improvements - Recent refinancing initiatives have improved InterGroup's liquidity profile, restructuring $103 million in loans and extending maturities into 2027, providing temporary relief for operations [6] Real Estate Segment Performance - The real estate segment, particularly multifamily and commercial properties in Texas and Southern California, is generating steady cash flow with improved operating margins, contributing $3.2 million in quarterly income [7] Market Sentiment and Valuation - InterGroup's share price has risen recently, indicating renewed investor interest, but valuation appears stretched given the company's financial profile and limited earnings visibility [8] - The disconnect between market enthusiasm and fundamentals raises concerns about the sustainability of recent gains [8] Overall Risks - High financial leverage, ongoing operating losses, and reliance on a single hotel asset continue to pose significant risks for InterGroup [9]