How Is Vici Properties' Stock Performance Compared to Other Real Estate Stocks?

Company Overview - VICI Properties Inc. is a New York-based real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on high-value experiential real estate, primarily in casinos, hospitality, entertainment, and leisure properties, with a market cap of $29.6 billion [1]. Market Position - VICI is classified as a "large-cap stock" due to its market cap exceeding $10 billion, highlighting its size, influence, and dominance in the diversified REIT industry [2]. - The company has established itself as a dominant landlord in the gaming and leisure space through strong tenant credit profiles, inflation-linked rent escalators, and strategic acquisitions [2]. Stock Performance - VICI's stock has declined 18.5% from its 52-week high of $34.03, reached on March 10, and has underperformed the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE), which dropped only 2.8% over the same period [3]. - Over the past 52 weeks, VICI's shares have fallen 12.4%, compared to XLRE's 6.5% decline, and year-to-date, VICI is down 5.1% while XLRE has shown marginal returns [4]. Recent Financial Results - On October 30, VICI reported Q3 results with a topline growth of 4.4% year-over-year to $1 billion, and an increase in AFFO per share by 5.3% to $0.60, supporting its eighth consecutive annual dividend increase [5]. - The company has raised its fiscal 2025 AFFO per share guidance to a range of $2.36 to $2.37, indicating confidence in continued growth [5]. Competitive Analysis - VICI has underperformed compared to its rival EPR Properties, which gained 14.8% over the past 52 weeks and 16.6% year-to-date [6]. - Despite recent underperformance, analysts maintain a "Strong Buy" consensus rating for VICI, with a mean price target of $35.71, suggesting a 28.8% premium to current price levels [6].