Core Viewpoint - VICI Properties Inc. is experiencing mixed analyst sentiments, with recent downgrades from Scotiabank and price target adjustments from Cantor Fitzgerald, despite its strong fundamentals and potential for future growth in the REIT sector [1][2]. Group 1: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Scotiabank downgraded VICI Properties from Outperform to Sector Perform and reduced the price target from $36 to $30, indicating cautious sentiment [1]. - Cantor Fitzgerald lowered the price target from $35 to $33 but maintained an Overweight rating, highlighting potential upside in 2026 due to favorable macro conditions and M&A trends [2]. Group 2: Company Acquisitions and Market Position - In Q4, VICI Properties agreed to acquire seven casino properties, including the STRAT Hotel and two Arizona Charlie's locations, marking its entry into the Las Vegas Locals market, the second-largest gaming market in the U.S. [3]. - VICI Properties operates a significant portfolio of gaming, hospitality, and entertainment destinations, serving as a landlord for notable properties like Caesars Palace and the MGM Grand [4].

Core Viewpoint - VICI Properties Inc. is a leading REIT focused on gaming, hospitality, and entertainment, with a market cap of approximately $32 billion, but its stock has underperformed compared to broader market indices [1][2]. Financial Performance - VICI's Q3 topline grew 4.4% year-over-year to $1 billion, exceeding consensus estimates by 43 basis points [5]. - The company's adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share increased by 5.3% to $0.71, surpassing Street expectations by 1.6% [5]. - For the full fiscal year 2025, analysts project an AFFO of $2.37 per share, reflecting a 4.9% year-over-year increase [5]. - VICI has demonstrated a robust AFFO surprise history, exceeding estimates in each of the past four quarters [5]. Stock Performance - Year-to-date, VICI stock prices have gained 2.7%, but have declined 7.5% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's gains of 16.3% in 2025 and 17.7% over the past year [2]. - The stock has slightly outperformed the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLRE) marginal 57 basis points uptick year-to-date, but has underperformed XLRE's 7% decline over the past 52 weeks [3]. Analyst Ratings - Among 23 analysts covering VICI, the consensus rating is a "Strong Buy," with 18 "Strong Buys," one "Moderate Buy," and four "Holds" [6]. - This rating configuration has improved slightly from two months ago, when 17 analysts recommended "Strong Buy" [7]. - Stifel analyst Simon Yarmak maintained a "Buy" rating on VICI but lowered the price target from $35 to $34 [7].