Core Insights - The article highlights the disconnect between the strong operational performance of shopping center REITs and their market pricing, suggesting potential investment opportunities in the sector [1][5][9] Performance Metrics - Shopping center REITs reported high occupancy rates, rising rents, and same-store NOI growth of 3% to 6% over the past six quarters, yet their market performance has been poor [2][5] - As of June 6, 2025, equity REITs had a YTD return of approximately 1.0%, while shopping center REITs significantly lagged behind [5][6] Valuation Comparisons - Shopping center REITs trade at an average AFFO multiple of 16.1x, which is lower than other sectors like Multifamily (17.4x), Manufactured Housing (20.8x), and Industrial (18.0x), indicating potential mispricing [8][9] - The average trading price of shopping center REITs is 81.3% of their consensus Net Asset Value (NAV), compared to 80.8% for Multifamily, 87.8% for Manufactured Housing, and 83.9% for Industrial [9][10] Upside Potential - On average, shopping center REITs are trading at prices that suggest a 20% upside to their 52-week highs, indicating potential for capital appreciation if economic conditions improve [12][13] - Specific companies like Acadia Realty Trust and Brixmor Property Group have notable upside potentials of 34.48% and 19.85% to their 52-week highs, respectively [13] Market Sentiment - Despite high interest rates and poor market performance, companies like Kimco Realty have been actively buying back shares, reflecting confidence in their investment value [14][15]

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "In-Line" industry view for North American REITs [4] Core Insights - Apartment REITs are experiencing fundamental tailwinds with declining deliveries and solid job growth, although there are concerns about potential peaking of new lease rates [2] - Senior housing has shown strong demand, with companies like WELL and AHR actively pursuing acquisitions [6][10] - Industrial fundamentals are better than expected, with a notable slowdown in construction starts, which may serve as a tailwind [11] - Retail leasing remains robust, with capital deployment being a key differentiator among companies [6][39] - The healthcare sector is seeing strong demand in senior housing, with significant acquisition activity reported [10][57] Apartment REITs - AvalonBay Communities reported a +2.3% year-over-year effective rent change for April and May, with occupancy improving to 96.3% [21] - Camden Property Trust is actively recycling capital and has made recent acquisitions [21] - Essex Property Trust noted that job postings are near historical averages, indicating growth potential [22] Senior Housing - Senior housing demand is robust, with occupancy growth exceeding expectations [10][57] - WELL announced $6.2 billion in acquisitions and loan funding through April [57] Industrial - Prologis and EastGroup Properties reported better-than-expected fundamentals, with a focus on occupancy over pricing [11][48] - Construction starts have decreased by 50% from pre-COVID levels, which may benefit the sector [11] Retail - Simon Property Group noted solid leasing activity despite tariff uncertainties [39] - Kimco Realty reported strong leasing activity and has raised guidance due to better-than-expected bad debt collection [39] Healthcare - The healthcare sector is seeing strong demand in senior housing, with AHR acquiring a 187-unit property for $65 million [57] - Ventas raised its 2025 normalized FFO per share guidance by 7% year-over-year [57] Single Family Rentals - American Homes 4 Rent reported a 4.3% growth in new leases for May, with a strong development pipeline [30] - Invitation Homes launched a developer lending program expected to generate $200-300 million annually [31] Storage - Public Storage and Extra Space Storage are experiencing mixed results, with occupancy gains but soft rental rates [32][34] - National Storage Affiliates is targeting positive same-store revenue growth by year-end [36] Office - Highwoods Properties is on track to meet leasing targets, with a strong pipeline of new and renewal prospects [61] - Paramount Group is exploring joint venture opportunities to enhance its portfolio [62] Triple Net REITs - Agree Realty is focusing on recession-resistant retailers and has implemented AI to streamline operations [64] - Realty Income maintains a strong balance sheet and is expanding its European presence [69]

Core Insights - The article posits that the value of shopping centers is expected to rise significantly due to low vacancy rates and high incremental demand for retail space [1][25][38] - Current construction costs are prohibitively high, making new developments unfeasible until rental rates increase substantially [12][24][27] Vacancy and Demand - National shopping center vacancy is at 4.1%, close to historical lows, indicating near full occupancy [3][6] - Incremental demand for retail space remains high, with strong lease signings reported at industry conferences [7][11] - Existing shopping centers are experiencing minimal vacancy, necessitating new space for additional demand [8][11] Construction Costs - The cost to build new shopping centers ranges from $300 to $500 per square foot, with an average reported cost of $394 per square foot [12][17][18] - Current net operating income (NOI) per square foot is insufficient to support these construction costs, with average rent at $20.33 per square foot [20][22] Rental Rate Dynamics - Shopping center REITs are experiencing rental rate increases of over 20% on new leases, indicating a strong upward trend in rental rates [26][27] - The estimated rental rate needed to justify new construction is around $45 per square foot, which is approximately double the current rates [26][27] Valuation and Investment Opportunities - The average shopping center REIT trades at 15.9 times the current year estimated adjusted funds from operations (AFFO), suggesting the sector is undervalued [28][30] - Shopping center REITs are trading at a significant discount to replacement costs, which are estimated between $400 and $450 per square foot [37][36] - There is strong private investor demand for shopping centers, as new construction is not viable, leading to potential acquisitions of existing properties [39]

Portfolio & Strategy - The company's suburban coastal portfolio is positioned to outperform, benefiting from supply-constrained coastal markets[4] - The company has a diversified portfolio across leading markets and submarkets, and across product types and price points[9] - The company is advancing its portfolio optimization objectives with $620 million in Texas acquisitions to enhance scale at a compelling basis[39] Financial Performance & Outlook - The company reaffirmed its full-year 2025 outlook, with 1Q Core FFO per share exceeding initial expectations due to better-than-expected operating results[8] - The company's 1Q25 Core FFO per share was $2.83[24], and the projected 2Q25 Core FFO per share is $2.77[24] - The company raised $905 million in capital with a weighted average initial cost of capital of 4.9%[19] Development & Capital - The company has $3 billion of development underway, which is >100% match-funded and expected to drive incremental earnings and value creation upon stabilization[8,31] - Projected 2025 development starts are back-half weighted, with $0.24 billion in 1Q-2Q and $1.36 billion in 2Q-4Q[8,35] - The company has a strong balance sheet with $2.8 billion in current liquidity[44] Market Dynamics - High occupancy and minimal new supply support pricing power in established regions[12] - The company's unencumbered NOI is 95%[47,92]