CINCINNATI, Feb. 23, 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, today announced that the Company will participate in a roundtable presentation at Citi’s 2026 Global Property CEO Conference on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 8:10 a.m. ET. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Edison, President Bob Myers and Chief Financial Officer John Caulfiel ...

Core Insights - PECO reported strong demand for necessity-based retail, achieving record-high occupancy rates and strong leasing activity in 2025 [1][4] - The company anticipates continued mid-single-digit growth in earnings for 2026, with specific guidance on net income and FFO growth [2][3][7] Leasing and Occupancy - In 2025, PECO executed 1,026 leases totaling approximately 6 million square feet, ending the year with a portfolio occupancy of 97.3%, anchor occupancy at 98.7%, and inline occupancy at a record 95.1% [1][6] - The company reported renewal rent spreads of 20% and new leasing rent spreads of 34.3% for the fourth quarter [7] Financial Guidance - CFO John Caulfield provided 2026 guidance of net income between $0.74 and $0.77 per share, with same-center NOI growth projected at 3% to 4% and Nareit FFO per share growth of 5.5% at the midpoint [2][7] - Management expects core FFO per share to grow by 5.4% year-over-year at the midpoint, without assuming any equity issuance [2][7] Capital Deployment and Strategy - PECO plans to prioritize acquisitions and redevelopment, with 2026 acquisition guidance set at $400 million to $500 million and redevelopment spending of approximately $70 million [5][12] - The company aims for an unlevered IRR of 9% for grocery-anchored acquisitions and above 10% for everyday retail centers [12] Market Conditions and Competitive Landscape - PECO is experiencing increased competition for grocery-anchored assets but also sees a rise in available opportunities, with a 200% increase in new potential opportunities in 2025 compared to 2024 [14] - Management believes there is still potential for occupancy growth, with expectations of inline occupancy rising by 100 to 150 basis points [8] Financial Health and Liquidity - PECO ended 2025 with approximately $925 million in liquidity and a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 5.2x [18] - The company sold about $145 million in assets in 2025 and plans to sell an additional $100 million to $200 million in 2026 to reinvest in higher-return opportunities [17] Overall Outlook - PECO's grocery-anchored, necessity-based portfolio is expected to provide both growth and stability moving into 2026, with a focus on acquisitions and redevelopment [20]

Core Insights - Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:PECO) is recognized as one of the 10 Best Monthly Dividend Stocks to Buy Now [1] - Evercore ISI initiated coverage of PECO with an Outperform rating and a price target of $41, emphasizing the company's focus on grocery-anchored shopping centers and necessity-based tenants [2] - PECO reported a portfolio occupancy rate of 98%, supported by strong demand from its tenant base, referred to as "Neighbors" [3] Company Performance - The company has over 30 years of experience in the grocery-anchored shopping center sector, which informs its evaluation of property quality and long-term performance [4] - PECO's centers are situated in markets with an average median household income of $92K within a three-mile radius, approximately 15% above the national average [4] - Population growth in these markets has exceeded the U.S. average by about 5% over the past three years, which is expected to support rent growth and long-term value creation [4] Future Outlook - Management projects a 26% increase in portfolio income over the next five years, indicating strong growth potential [4] - The company is actively developing a growing pipeline of ground-up outparcel developments and repositioning projects [3]

Core Insights - Simon Property's portfolio of premium retail assets and strong balance sheet position it well for growth in an improving market environment [1][9] - Analysts maintain a positive outlook, with upward revisions in the consensus estimates for funds from operations (FFO) per share for 2025 and 2026 [2][9] Group 1: Growth Potential - Simon Property has a significant presence in both U.S. and international retail markets, which supports sustainable long-term growth compared to domestic peers [3] - The company's ownership in Klépierre enhances its global footprint, providing access to premium retail assets in Europe [3] - The adoption of an omnichannel strategy and partnerships with premium retailers have contributed positively to growth, particularly through its online retail platform [4] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - The company is actively restructuring its portfolio, focusing on premium acquisitions and transformative redevelopment projects, investing billions to enhance property value and foot traffic [5] - Ongoing redevelopment and expansion projects include adding anchors, big box tenants, and restaurants across North America, Europe, and Asia [5] Group 3: Financial Strength - As of September 30, 2025, Simon Property reported $9.5 billion in liquidity, with a total secured debt to total assets ratio of 16% and a fixed-charge coverage ratio of 4.7 [6] - The company holds an investment-grade credit rating of A (stable outlook) from Standard and Poor's and A3 (stable outlook) from Moody's, indicating strong financial health [6] Group 4: Dividend Commitment - Simon Property has increased its dividend 14 times in the last five years, reflecting a commitment to enhancing shareholder wealth [7] - The company's solid operating platform and financial position suggest that the current dividend rate is sustainable in the long run [7] Group 5: Market Performance - Over the past three months, Simon Property's shares have increased by 4.8%, outperforming the industry's growth of 0.3% [10]

Core Viewpoint - Investors in the REIT and Equity Trust - Retail sector should consider Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO) and Tanger (SKT) as potential investment opportunities, with a closer examination needed to determine which stock offers better value [1] Group 1: Zacks Rank and Value Metrics - Both PECO and SKT currently hold a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating positive revisions to their earnings estimates and improving earnings outlooks [3] - Value investors typically assess various traditional metrics, including P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, and cash flow per share, to identify undervalued stocks [4] Group 2: Valuation Comparisons - PECO has a forward P/E ratio of 12.92, while SKT has a forward P/E of 13.88, suggesting PECO may be the more attractive option based on this metric [5] - PECO's PEG ratio is 1.39, compared to SKT's PEG ratio of 1.86, indicating that PECO may offer better value when considering expected EPS growth [5] - PECO's P/B ratio is 1.72, significantly lower than SKT's P/B of 5.18, further supporting the argument that PECO is the superior value option [6] - Based on these valuation metrics, PECO holds a Value grade of B, while SKT has a Value grade of C, reinforcing the conclusion that PECO is the better value investment at this time [6]

Core Insights - Agree Realty Corporation (ADC) reported strong investment activity in 2025, deploying approximately $1.55 billion into retail net lease properties across 41 states, including 338 properties net leased to top-tier tenants [1][9] - The company has reinforced its investment-grade tenant base, with about 66.8% of annualized base rent coming from high-credit tenants as of December 31, 2025, enhancing income stability and long-term cash flow [2][9] - ADC's balance sheet strength is notable, with over $2 billion in liquidity, positioning the REIT to capitalize on acquisition and development opportunities in 2026 [4][5] Investment Activity - In 2025, the company acquired 305 retail net lease properties valued at around $1.44 billion at a 7.2% cap rate, with remaining long-lease terms averaging 11.5 years [3] - Approximately 64.9% of annualized base rents acquired came from investment-grade tenants, contributing to resilient earnings in a competitive retail environment [3] Future Outlook - Agree Realty forecasts 2026 investment activity between $1.25 billion and $1.5 billion, supported by its three growth platforms: acquisitions, development, and the Developer Funding Platform (DFP) [5][6] - The company's disciplined approach reflects a focus on high-quality retail tenants and strategic capital allocation, with a strong pipeline and conservative balance sheet providing a solid foundation for continued earnings growth [5][6] Market Performance - Shares of Agree Realty have increased by 1.9% over the past three months, contrasting with the industry's decline of 0.9% [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its 2025 and 2026 funds from operations (FFO) per share has slightly increased to $4.31 and $4.54, respectively [7]

Core Insights - Regency Centers Corp. (REG) benefits from a high-quality portfolio of shopping centers located in affluent suburbs and urban-adjacent areas, focusing on grocery-anchored properties that ensure consistent foot traffic and income stability [1][5]. Leasing and Occupancy - Favorable retail real estate conditions are driving strong tenant demand, with Regency executing approximately 1.8 million square feet of new and renewal leases in Q3, achieving a blended cash rent spread of 12.8% [2][9]. - The company's strategic focus on grocery-anchored centers contributes to steady foot traffic and resilience in uncertain markets, with leading grocers forming a significant part of its tenant base [5][9]. Growth Strategy - Regency is pursuing growth through strategic acquisitions and a promising development pipeline, including a recent acquisition of five shopping centers for $357 million [3][7]. - The ongoing redevelopment and development projects have estimated net costs of $668 million, positioning the company for future growth [7][10]. Financial Performance - Regency's balance sheet is strong, featuring $1.5 billion in revolving credit capacity and a fixed charge coverage ratio of 4.2, with nearly 87% of wholly owned assets unencumbered [10]. - The company raised its quarterly dividend to 75.5 cents in October 2025, reflecting a 7.1% increase and a sustainable payout ratio of 62% [11]. Challenges - The rise of e-commerce, particularly in the grocery sector, poses competitive challenges for Regency, potentially impacting market share for brick-and-mortar stores and limiting rent increases [3][12]. - Regency carries a substantial debt burden of approximately $4.92 billion, with interest expenses rising 9% year over year to $51.3 million in Q3 2025 [13].

Group 1 - The article does not provide any relevant content regarding company or industry insights [1]

Core Insights - Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:PECO) is recognized as one of the 13 highest paying monthly dividend stocks to buy [1] - Barclays has raised its price target for PECO from $40 to $42 while maintaining an Equal Weight rating, following updated estimates from a recent investor presentation [2] Company Performance - PECO has over three decades of experience in grocery-anchored shopping centers, with a strong portfolio demographic where the average median household income within a three-mile radius is approximately $92,000, about 15% higher than the US average [3] - Population growth in PECO's markets has outpaced the national average by around 5% over the past three years, supporting steady rent growth and long-term value creation [4] - Management anticipates portfolio income to increase by approximately 26% over the next five years [4] Acquisition Strategy - PECO focuses on acquiring grocery-anchored, necessity-based neighborhood and community shopping centers, with a nationwide portfolio of nearly 300 properties and plans for continued expansion [5] - The company has demonstrated strong free cash flow and EBITDA growth, primarily driven by same-center NOI, enabling over $300 million in net acquisitions despite development and redevelopment expenditures [5]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the resurgence of interest in dividend-paying stocks, particularly those offering monthly dividends, as a reliable source of income in volatile market conditions [1][3][4]. Dividend Market Overview - Dividend-paying stocks have historically provided steady returns across various market environments, contributing approximately 50% of total stock returns on average since the 1930s [4]. - The focus on dividends has increased as investors seek income rather than relying solely on price appreciation, especially following market downturns in the 2000s and the Great Recession [2][3]. Methodology for Stock Selection - The article outlines a methodology for selecting stocks that pay monthly dividends, focusing on those with the highest dividend yields, which range from 3.5% to nearly 19.5% as of December 18 [7]. - Most selected stocks are from the REIT and capital market sectors, which are required to distribute a significant portion of their income to shareholders [8]. Company Highlights - **Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:PECO)**: - Dividend Yield: 3.58% as of December 18 - Barclays raised its price target to $42 from $40 following an investor presentation [11]. - The company has a strong portfolio with a median household income of about $92,000 within a three-mile radius of its centers, which is 15% higher than the US average [12]. - Management expects portfolio income to rise by approximately 26% over the next five years [13]. - **Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE:ADC)**: - Dividend Yield: 4.33% as of December 18 - Mizuho lowered its price target to $75 from $77 but maintained a Neutral rating [16]. - The company has transitioned to monthly dividend payments, with a consistent annual growth rate of 5.3% over the past decade [18][19]. - **Main Street Capital Corporation (NYSE:MAIN)**: - Dividend Yield: 5.17% as of December 18 - RBC Capital reduced its price target to $66 from $67 while keeping an Outperform rating [21]. - The company recently completed a follow-on investment in Chamberlin Holding LLC, supporting its acquisition of a commercial roofing contractor [22][24].