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Macerich (MAC) Q1 FFO & Revenues Beat Estimates, View Intact

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Retail REIT – The Macerich Company (MAC - Free Report) – came up with first-quarter 2017 funds from operations (FFO) per share of 87 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 84 cents. The prior-year quarter’s FFO per share figure was also 87 cents. Amid challenging retail landscape, the quarter witnessed modest improvement in same-center net operating income (NOI).

The company posted revenues of $247 million for the quarter, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate $229.9 million. However, it came in 3.5% lower than the prior-year quarter figure.

Quarter in Detail

As of Mar 31, 2017, mall portfolio occupancy contracted 80 basis points (bps) year over year to 95.1%. Mall tenant annual sales increased to $639 per square foot from $625 at the end of first-quarter 2016. Re-leasing spreads rose 17.5% on a year-over-year basis. Also, same-centers net operating income grew around 2.2% from the prior-year comparable period.

As of Mar 31, 2017, Macerich’s cash and cash equivalents were $92.3 million, down from $94 million as of Dec 31, 2016.

Portfolio Activity

In January, Macerich sold two non-core assets, Northgate Mall and Cascade Mall, for $170 million.  

In March, the company sold an office building at Country Club Plaza. The share of the company in the sale proceeds was $39 million.

2017 Guidance

Macerich has reaffirmed its guidance for 2017. The retail REIT expects FFO per share in the range of $3.90–$4 for the year. Currently, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2017 FFO is pegged at $3.96 per share.

Our Viewpoint

We are encouraged with the better-than-expected FFO per share number at Macerich. The company’s premium portfolio, presence of well-capitalized tenants in its centers, aggressive capital-recycling program and adoption of omni-channel retailing strategies augur well for its long-term growth. However, increasing consumer purchases through the Internet have emerged as a pressing concern for retail REITs, including Macerich.

Further, geographic concentration of assets and hike in interest rate pose concerns for the company.

Macerich Company (The) Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

Macerich Company (The) Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Macerich Company (The) Quote

Currently, Macerich has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

We now look forward to the earnings releases of GGP Inc. , Vornado Realty Trust (VNO - Free Report) and HCP, Inc. (HCP - Free Report) , which are expected next week.

Note: All EPS numbers presented in this write up represent funds from operations (FFO) per share. FFO, a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs, is obtained after adding depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses to net income.

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