Core Insights - The Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry is well-positioned to leverage favorable market conditions, with strong consumer spending and limited new development supporting healthy fundamentals [1] - The industry is experiencing a rebound driven by renewed consumer interest in in-store shopping, despite facing challenges from e-commerce expansion and macroeconomic pressures [2][5] Industry Overview - The industry comprises REITs that own, develop, manage, and lease various retail properties, including regional malls and grocery-anchored shopping venues [2] - Key demand drivers include geographic location and demographics, with a positive shift in the retail landscape noted [2] Future Trends - Experiential retail and omnichannel integration are revitalizing the sector, with physical stores transforming into immersive destinations that enhance customer engagement [3] - Solid leasing demand from consumer service providers and cross-border entrants is diversifying the tenant base and driving long-term occupancy stability [3] Supply and Demand Dynamics - Retail REITs benefit from a constrained supply pipeline, with limited new construction due to high building costs and labor shortages, leading to historically tight national vacancy rates [4] - Many REITs are redeveloping underperforming assets and adding non-traditional tenants, enhancing portfolio durability [4] Macroeconomic Challenges - High interest rates, inflation, and tariff changes are pressuring retailers, leading to delayed leasing decisions and increased store closures [5] - E-commerce penetration is dampening demand for traditional retail space, particularly in commodity-driven segments [5] Industry Performance - The Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry has underperformed the broader Zacks Finance sector and the S&P 500 over the past year, declining 5.5% compared to the S&P 500's rise of 19.4% [10] - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-FFO of 14.62X, below the S&P 500's forward P/E of 22.54X [13] Stock Recommendations - **Brixmor Property Group Inc. (BRX)** focuses on open-air shopping centers with a balanced tenant base, currently has a Zacks Rank 2, and its FFO per share estimate has been revised upward to $2.23, indicating a 4.7% year-over-year increase [17][19] - **Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO)** specializes in grocery-anchored shopping centers, managing 327 centers with a Zacks Rank 2, and its FFO per share estimate for 2025 has been revised to $2.58, reflecting a bullish outlook [21][24] - **Urban Edge Properties (UE)** operates in densely populated regions with a focus on essential retailers, holding a Zacks Rank 2, and its FFO per share estimate has been raised to $1.40, indicating a 3.7% year-over-year increase [26][28]