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W. P. Carey stock target cut, keeps rating on lowered acquisition outlook

EditorNatashya Angelica
Published 08/01/2024, 07:03 AM
WPC
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On Thursday, RBC Capital adjusted its outlook on shares of W. P. Carey & Co. (NYSE: NYSE:WPC), a global net-lease REIT, by reducing its price target to $62 from the previous $63 while maintaining an Outperform rating. The revision follows the company's updated acquisition guidance, which has been impacted by unforeseen issues during the due diligence process for deals totaling approximately $300 million.

The analyst from RBC Capital expressed concerns over the credibility of W. P. Carey due to a combination of factors, including the recent adjustment in acquisition guidance, past acquisition shortfalls, recent tenant problems, and the office spin. These issues have led to a cautious approach towards the company's future acquisition strategy.

The analyst anticipates that W. P. Carey will present a revised approach to acquisition guidance for 2025, signaling a potential reset in expectations. For the year 2024, the firm's estimates remain unchanged as the anticipated weakness in self-storage had already been factored into projections. However, the outlook for 2025 has been modestly reduced by 1% due to lowered expectations for acquisitions and capitalization rate assumptions.

W. P. Carey has faced challenges that have prompted a reevaluation of its acquisition strategy. The issues encountered during the due diligence of significant deals have necessitated a more conservative outlook from analysts.

The RBC Capital analyst's comments underscore the importance of transparency and reliability in financial guidance. W. P. Carey's investors and stakeholders will be looking forward to the company's strategic updates for 2025, as they weigh the potential impact of the revised acquisition and capitalization rate assumptions on the firm's performance.

In other recent news, W. P. Carey, a global net-lease REIT, has made adjustments to its full-year AFFO guidance due to shifting market conditions. The company reported an AFFO per share of $1.17 in the second quarter of 2024, and CEO Jason Fox announced the sale of the majority of properties in their Office Sale Program.

Despite a slowdown in investment activity, W. P. Carey successfully raised over $1 million in new unsecured debt through bond issuances in both Europe and the U.S. The company also revised its full-year AFFO guidance to a range of $4.63 to $4.73 per share.

RBC Capital has adjusted its outlook on W. P. Carey, reducing its price target to $62 from the previous $63 while maintaining an Outperform rating. This revision follows W. P. Carey's updated acquisition guidance, which was impacted by unforeseen issues during the due diligence process for deals totaling approximately $300 million.

RBC Capital analysts anticipate that W. P. Carey will present a revised approach to acquisition guidance for 2025, signaling a potential reset in expectations.

These recent developments underscore the importance of transparency and reliability in financial guidance. As W. P. Carey navigates these changes, investors will be closely watching the company's strategic updates for 2025, particularly the impact of the revised acquisition and capitalization rate assumptions on the firm's performance.

InvestingPro Insights

In light of the recent outlook adjustment by RBC Capital on W. P. Carey & Co. (NYSE: WPC), real-time data from InvestingPro provides additional context to the company's financial health and market position. W. P. Carey's market capitalization stands at $12.65 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the global net-lease REIT sector.

The company's P/E ratio is currently 23.31, suggesting that investors are valuing its earnings at a relatively high level compared to the market average. This is further supported by the adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, which is 25.36.

InvestingPro Tips highlight W. P. Carey's impressive gross profit margin of 91.74%, which indicates efficient cost management and a strong ability to generate profits from its revenues. Moreover, the company has maintained dividend payments for 27 consecutive years, with a notable dividend yield of 6.02%, showcasing its commitment to returning value to shareholders. These factors may be particularly relevant for income-focused investors.

Investors considering W. P. Carey's stock will also find value in the fact that analysts predict the company will be profitable this year, and it has been profitable over the last twelve months. While challenges in acquisition strategy are noted, W. P. Carey's ability to maintain profitability and a robust dividend payout is a testament to its operational strength. For a more comprehensive analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available at InvestingPro.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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