JPMorgan analyst Michael W. Mueller introduced a number of scores adjustments in the course of the agency’s quarterly CRE replace webinar.
The analyst upgraded Ventas Inc. VTR from Impartial to Obese and raised the agency’s December 2025 worth goal to $72 from $70.
Mueller cited sturdy inside and exterior progress, together with double-digit same-store internet working earnings features and a gentle tempo of acquisitions, as key drivers supporting a optimistic outlook for normalized FFO per share progress.
The analyst famous that in comparison with peer Welltower, Ventas seems extra attractively valued, particularly on an implied cap price foundation, though its progress potential could also be barely decrease.
Whereas exterior progress has slowed throughout the broader REIT sector, Mueller stated Ventas’s continued success positions it as a relative outperformer.
The worth goal hike displays updates to the analyst’s monetary mannequin, which now incorporates improved progress visibility. The revised goal is predicated on a dividend low cost mannequin assuming a 5.25% long-term progress price, a 95% AFFO payout ratio, and a high-8% low cost price.
Mueller downgraded Americold Realty Belief Inc. COLD from Obese to Impartial and lower the agency’s December 2025 worth goal to $21 from $24.
The analyst cited weaker throughput volumes and decrease occupancy charges as key headwinds limiting near-term efficiency. Regardless of buying and selling at considerably decrease EBITDA multiples than final yr — providing long-term revaluation potential — investor sentiment stays centered on present operational pressures.
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The lowered worth goal displays decrease earnings estimates and the appliance of a better 11.5% low cost price within the agency’s DCF mannequin, underscoring elevated uncertainty and tempered progress expectations. A restoration is projected in 2026, contingent on improved macroeconomic situations.
Mueller downgraded Federal Realty Funding Belief FRT to Impartial from Obese and set a December 2025 worth goal of $108.
The analyst cited a lowered concentrate on improvement and redevelopment tasks — at present key progress drivers for a number of different retail REITs — as a cause for the downgrade.
He additionally famous that traders are taking a cautious stance towards FRT’s technique of coming into newer markets, similar to Kansas Metropolis, by divesting high-quality property. This pivot could take time to yield seen operational advantages.
Given the present macroeconomic backdrop, sentiment has shifted in favor of grocery-anchored and neighborhood-centric REITs, that are seen as extra defensive in comparison with FRT’s portfolio.
JPMorgan’s $108 goal is predicated on a reduced money circulation mannequin incorporating a 4.4% long-term AFFO progress price, a 95% payout ratio, and a high-8% low cost price.
Mueller downgraded Lineage Inc. LINE to Underweight from Impartial and lowered the agency’s December 2025 worth goal to $50 from $55.
The analyst famous a broader choice for different REIT sectors and shares, regardless of the long-term deserves of the Lineage platform.
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He identified that the chilly storage section is at present going through decrease throughput volumes, that are creating occupancy and pricing headwinds prone to affect near-term efficiency.
The analyst additionally flagged that Lineage’s 2025 AFFO per share outlook falls under the low finish of administration steering, whereas progress in 2026 is anticipated to be constrained by the roll-off of rate of interest hedges.
The revised $50 worth goal is predicated on a dividend low cost mannequin utilizing a 5.3% long-term progress price, 95% AFFO payout ratio and an roughly 10.75% low cost price.
Value Actions: At publication on Monday, VTR shares have been buying and selling increased by 1.63 at $63.47, COLD was up 0.12% at $16.81, FRT was down 0.13% at $95.28, and LINE was up by 0.69% at $45.07.
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