WASHINGTON, Aug. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ROBERT G. MEYER and THOMAS W.MIARS, IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR BALTIMORE CITY, MARYLANDPlaintiffs,Case No.: 24-C-23-003628v. MICHAEL WEIL, LISA KABNICK, LESLIE MICHELSON, STANLEY PERLA, EDWARD RENDELL, and AR GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LLC,Defendants. SUMMARY NOTICE OF PENDENCY OF STOCKHOLDER CLASS ACTION AND PROPOSED SETTLEMENT, SETTLEMENT HEARING, AND RIGHT TO APPEAR TO: All record and beneficial owners of The Necessity Retail Reit, Inc. (“RTL” or the “Company”) com ...

Core Insights - Simon Property Group (SPG) is expected to report second-quarter 2025 results on August 4, with anticipated year-over-year increases in revenues and funds from operations (FFO) per share [1][9]. U.S. Retail Real Estate Market Overview - The U.S. shopping center market experienced a slight pullback in net absorption, with negative net absorption totaling 6.5 million square feet in Q2 2025, an improvement from negative 7.1 million square feet in Q1 2025 [4]. - The national vacancy rate increased by 50 basis points year-over-year to 5.8%, although it remains lower than the 6.4% observed from 2017 to 2019 [5]. - Asking rents for U.S. shopping centers rose by 2.3% year-over-year to $24.99 per square foot in Q2 2025 [6]. Simon Property Group's Performance Expectations - SPG is projected to report revenues of $1.51 billion for Q2 2025, reflecting a 3.3% increase year-over-year, with lease income expected to rise to $1.39 billion [9][11]. - FFO per share is anticipated to increase by 4.8% year-over-year to $3.04 [9][13]. - The company’s strong portfolio of high-quality retail assets and strategic focus on omnichannel integration and mixed-use developments are expected to drive performance [7][8]. Challenges and Market Dynamics - Rising e-commerce penetration may pose challenges to occupancy and sales performance, while elevated interest expenses are likely to impact profitability [10]. - The consensus estimate for other income is projected to decline to $94 million from $109.3 million in the prior-year quarter [12].

Company Overview - Kimco Realty Corporation (KIM) is expected to report second-quarter 2025 results on July 31, with anticipated year-over-year growth in revenues and funds from operations (FFO) per share [1][11] - In the last reported quarter, Kimco's FFO per share was 44 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 42 cents, driven by better-than-expected revenue growth despite rising interest expenses [2][10] Industry Insights - The U.S. retail real estate market experienced a slight pullback in net absorption, with negative net absorption totaling 6.5 million square feet in Q2 2025, marking the first time negative absorption occurred for two consecutive quarters post-pandemic [4][5] - The national vacancy rate increased by 50 basis points year-over-year to 5.8%, although it remains lower than the 6.4% level from 2017-2019 [5] - Asking rents for U.S. shopping centers rose 2.3% year-over-year to $24.99 per square foot in Q2 2025, indicating easing pressure on rents despite the negative demand [6] Performance Projections - Kimco's Q2 FFO per share is projected to rise 2.4% year-over-year to 42 cents, supported by its portfolio of premium grocery-anchored shopping centers [9][13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Kimco's quarterly revenues stands at $526.8 million, reflecting a 5.3% increase from the prior year [11] - Estimated net revenues from rental properties are projected at $519.4 million, suggesting a 4.7% year-over-year increase, with leased occupancy expected to rise to 96% [12] Market Position - Kimco benefits from a diverse tenant base, primarily consisting of essential and necessity-based retailers, which is likely to support stable revenue generation [8] - The company focuses on developing mixed-use assets in strong economic metropolitan areas, enhancing its net asset value [8]

Core Viewpoint - Regency Centers Corp. is expected to report year-over-year growth in revenues and funds from operations (FFO) per share for the second quarter of 2025 [1][10] Company Performance - In the last reported quarter, Regency reported NAREIT FFO per share of $1.15, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.14, driven by healthy leasing activity and improvements in net operating income and base rent [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Regency's second-quarter revenues is $377.4 million, indicating a 5.7% increase from the previous year's figure [9] - The FFO per share estimate has remained unchanged at $1.14, suggesting a growth of nearly 5.7% from the prior-year quarter [10] Industry Environment - The U.S. retail real estate market experienced negative net absorption of 6.5 million square feet in Q2 2025, marking the first time negative absorption has occurred for two consecutive quarters in the post-pandemic era [4] - The national vacancy rate increased by 50 basis points to 5.8% year over year, although it remains low compared to the 6.4% level from 2017 to 2019 [5] - Asking rents for U.S. shopping centers increased by 2.3% year over year to $24.99 per square foot in Q2 2025 [6] Factors Influencing Regency - Regency's portfolio is primarily located in affluent suburban areas, benefiting from post-pandemic migration trends and a hybrid work setup [7] - The company has a high-quality portfolio with over 80% of its centers being grocery-anchored, which supports rental income stability [8] - Increased e-commerce adoption and higher interest expenses may negatively impact Regency's quarterly performance [9]

Group 1 - The Macerich Company (MAC) shares have increased by 15.8% over the past three months, outperforming the industry's growth of 7.4% [1][8] - The company focuses on premium shopping centers located in affluent U.S. markets, which provides a solid opportunity for generating cash flows [2][8] - Macerich is enhancing asset quality and customer relationships through the adoption of an omnichannel retail model, which is crucial for fulfilling orders from mall-based stores [3] Group 2 - The company is implementing an aggressive capital-recycling program that involves divesting non-core assets and using the proceeds to invest in higher-growth properties, which will also reduce leverage [4][8] - The strategic plan includes business simplification through selective consolidation of joint ventures over time [4] - The positive trend in MAC's stock price is expected to continue in the near term due to these factors [5] Group 3 - The growing trend of online shopping may negatively impact Macerich's market share for brick-and-mortar stores [9] - Tenant bankruptcies, such as those filed by Forever 21 and Express, could affect the company's performance in upcoming quarters [9] - An elevated interest rate environment may lead to higher borrowing costs, impacting the company's ability to purchase or develop real estate [9]

Core Insights - Simon Property Group (SPG) has acquired Swire Properties' stake in Brickell City Centre's open-air shopping center, gaining full ownership and management of the asset, which is expected to enhance leasing and revenue growth, thereby creating shareholder value [1][9] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition includes a 500,000-square-foot retail asset within Brickell City Centre, which features over 90 retail stores and 15 dining locations across three city blocks [2][3][9] - Previously, SPG held a 25% non-managing interest in the retail space at Brickell City Centre [1] Group 2: Property Overview - Brickell City Centre is a mixed-use destination covering five million square feet, known for its architectural sophistication and completed in 2016 [2] - The shopping center is anchored by a Saks Fifth Avenue and includes a Casa Tua Cucina location, providing a diverse dining and entertainment experience [3] Group 3: Company Strategy - Simon Property has been restructuring its portfolio to focus on premium acquisitions and transformative redevelopments, including the complete takeover of The Mall Luxury Outlets from Kering and a multimillion-dollar redevelopment at Smith Haven Mall [4][5] - The company has been investing billions to enhance its properties and drive footfall [4] Group 4: Market Challenges - The company faces challenges from growing e-commerce adoption and a high debt burden, which may strain retailers' balance sheets amid macroeconomic uncertainty [6] - SPG's shares have declined by 3.4% over the past three months, slightly worse than the industry's decline of 3.1% [6]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three high-yield dividend stocks that offer an average yield of 10.96%, providing investors with a reliable source of monthly income [1]. Group 1: Dividend Stocks Performance - Companies that consistently pay dividends are typically profitable and have a history of outperformance [2]. - A study by Hartford Funds and Ned Davis Research shows that dividend-paying stocks delivered an average annual return of 9.2% over 51 years, compared to 4.31% for non-payers [3]. Group 2: AGNC Investment - AGNC Investment, a mortgage REIT, offers a yield of 15.48% and has provided consistent double-digit yields for over a decade [6]. - The company borrows at low short-term rates to invest in higher-yielding long-term assets, such as mortgage-backed securities [7]. - The recent shift to a rate-easing cycle by the Federal Reserve is favorable for AGNC, as it typically performs well during such periods [9]. - AGNC's portfolio is heavily focused on agency securities, which are backed by the federal government, providing added safety [10]. - The normalization of the U.S. Treasury yield curve is expected to enhance AGNC's net interest margin and book value [11]. Group 3: PennantPark Floating Rate Capital - PennantPark Floating Rate Capital, a business development company, has an annual dividend yield of 11.8% and a market cap of $1 billion [13]. - The company focuses on debt investments, with a weighted average yield of 10.5% on its debt portfolio [15]. - PennantPark's management has implemented a rigorous vetting process, resulting in a low delinquency rate of 2.2% for its loan portfolio [17]. Group 4: Realty Income - Realty Income, a retail REIT, offers a yield of 5.6% and has increased its monthly payout for 111 consecutive quarters [18]. - The company manages a commercial real estate portfolio of over 15,600 properties, generating more than $5 billion in annualized base rent [19]. - Realty Income's tenant base is resilient to economic downturns, with over 90% of rent collected from businesses that provide essential goods and services [20]. - The company boasts a historical median occupancy rate of 98.2%, significantly higher than the S&P 500 REITs' median of 94.2% [21]. - Realty Income is considered relatively undervalued, with a forward-year multiple of 12.8, representing a 21% discount to its average multiple over the past five years [22].

Core Viewpoint - Simon Property Group (SPG) is expected to report first-quarter 2025 results on May 12, with anticipated revenue growth but a decline in funds from operations (FFO) per share [1][12]. Group 1: Company Performance - In the last reported quarter, SPG achieved an 8.24% surprise in FFO per share, driven by increased revenues from higher base minimum rent per square foot and occupancy levels [2]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter lease income is projected at $1.35 billion, an increase from $1.30 billion year-over-year, while total revenues are expected to reach $1.48 billion, reflecting a 2.8% year-over-year increase [10][11]. - The consensus estimate for FFO per share has been revised upward to $2.91, indicating an 18.3% decrease year-over-year [12]. Group 2: Market Environment - The U.S. retail real estate market showed resilience in Q1, with the overall retail availability rate rising to 4.8%, marking the first increase in five quarters, primarily due to a tripling of obsolete space since 2020 [3][4]. - Retail development remained near record lows, with only 4.5 million square feet completed in Q1, significantly below historical averages [5]. - The average asking rent increased by 0.6% quarter-over-quarter and 1.9% year-over-year to $24.68 per square foot, driven by competition for prime locations [6]. Group 3: Strategic Factors - SPG is expected to benefit from its high-quality retail asset portfolio as consumer demand for in-person shopping remains strong post-pandemic [7]. - The company's focus on omnichannel integration and mixed-use developments is likely to enhance growth opportunities in key markets [8]. - Despite challenges from rising e-commerce penetration and elevated interest expenses, SPG's diversified strategy and premium asset base are expected to provide resilience [9].

Company Overview - Regency Centers Corp. (REG) is expected to report first-quarter 2025 results on April 29, with anticipated year-over-year growth in revenues and funds from operations (FFO) per share [1] - In the last reported quarter, Regency's NAREIT FFO per share was $1.09, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.07, driven by healthy leasing activity and improvements in net operating income and base rent [2] U.S. Retail Real Estate Market - The U.S. shopping center market experienced negative net absorption of 5.9 million square feet in Q1 2025, marking the largest decline since Q3 2020, with neighborhood centers accounting for 75% of the demand pullback [4] - The national vacancy rate increased by 20 basis points to 5.5% year-over-year, although it remains near historical lows due to minimal new construction and tenants adjusting their real estate needs [3][5] - Asking rents for U.S. shopping centers rose by 2.3% year-over-year to $24.76 per square foot in Q1 2025 [5] Factors Influencing Regency's Performance - Regency's portfolio is primarily located in affluent suburban areas, benefiting from post-pandemic migration trends and hybrid work setups [6] - The company has a high-quality open-air shopping center portfolio, with over 80% of its centers grocery-anchored, which supports stable rental revenues [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for REG's first-quarter revenues is $381.3 million, reflecting a 4.8% increase from the previous year, while the FFO per share estimate has been revised upward to $1.14, indicating a growth of nearly 5.6% [8] Challenges Facing Regency - Increased e-commerce adoption and higher interest expenses are expected to negatively impact Regency's quarterly performance [9] - The company's Earnings ESP is currently -0.78%, indicating uncertainty regarding a surprise in FFO per share for the upcoming quarter [10]

Core Viewpoint - The article compares two prominent retail REITs, Realty Income Corporation and Simon Property Group, focusing on their investment cases, portfolio strengths, dividend reliability, balance sheets, and long-term outlooks [2][23]. Realty Income Corporation - Realty Income's business model is centered on triple-net lease properties, primarily occupied by essential retail tenants, ensuring predictable and low-risk income streams [3][4]. - As of December 31, 2024, Realty Income owns 15,621 properties across the U.S., U.K., and six other European countries, emphasizing investment-grade tenants [3]. - The company anticipates a full-year 2025 investment volume of approximately $4 billion, with a total addressable market for net lease real estate investments in the U.S. estimated at $5.4 trillion and $8.5 trillion in Europe [5]. - Realty Income maintains a strong balance sheet with A3/A- credit ratings, $3.7 billion in liquidity, and a fixed charge coverage ratio of 4.7, indicating conservative financial management [6]. - The company has a robust dividend history, with 30 consecutive years of rising dividends and a compound average annual dividend growth of 4.3% since 1994 [7]. - However, challenges such as tenant bankruptcies and rising bad debt provisions may impact rent growth and overall performance [8]. Simon Property Group - Simon Property Group operates over 200 properties, primarily Class A malls and outlet centers, benefiting from strong relationships with top-tier retailers [9][12]. - The company adopts a proactive approach by redeveloping underperforming malls and investing directly in retailers, positioning itself for growth as brick-and-mortar retail evolves [11]. - Simon Property has a solid A credit rating and exited Q4 2024 with $10.1 billion in liquidity, including $2 billion in cash and $8.1 billion in available capacity under revolving credit facilities [12]. - The company has resumed dividend hikes after a pandemic-related cut, with a recent increase of 2.4% to $2.10 per share, reflecting confidence in its financial health [13]. - Despite the challenges posed by online shopping and macroeconomic uncertainties, Simon Property's strong cash flows and creative reinvestment strategies position it well for future growth [14][24]. Comparative Estimates - Realty Income's 2025 sales and funds from operations (FFO) per share are expected to grow by 5.85% and 2.39%, respectively, although FFO estimates have been trending downward [15]. - Simon Property's 2025 sales are projected to grow by 2.58%, but FFO per share is expected to decline by 3.46%, with recent estimates trending upward [16]. Price Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, Realty Income shares have increased by 3.4%, while Simon Property's stock has decreased by 13.9%, compared to a decline of 11.7% in the Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry [19]. - Realty Income is trading at a forward price-to-FFO of 12.78X, close to its one-year median, while Simon Property is at 11.72X, below its one-year median [21]. Conclusion - Realty Income is viewed as a reliable choice for income-focused investors due to its essential retail portfolio and strong balance sheet, justifying its premium valuation [23]. - Simon Property Group offers a more compelling opportunity for value-oriented investors, with its attractive valuation and potential for growth, making it a smarter buy for those with a longer investment horizon [24].