Citi cuts COPT Defense Properties target to $29, keeps neutral rating

Published 12/03/2025, 18:24
Citi cuts COPT Defense Properties target to $29, keeps neutral rating

On Wednesday, Citi analysts, led by Nicholas Joseph, adjusted the price target for COPT Defense Properties (NYSE:CDP) shares, reducing it to $29 from the previous target of $35. Despite the change in the price target, the firm maintained a Neutral rating on the stock. The company, currently valued at $3.09 billion, has maintained dividend payments for 34 consecutive years, with a current yield of 4.56%. According to InvestingPro analysis, CDP’s stock appears overvalued at current levels.

The revision followed COPT Defense Properties’ fourth-quarter earnings, prompting Citi to update its model for the company. The adjustments accounted for revised operating, financing, and transaction assumptions. The company demonstrated strong performance with 10.07% revenue growth in the last twelve months. The analysts kept their 2025 core Funds From Operations per share (FFOps) estimate unchanged at $2.65, while they raised their 2026 core FFOps forecast slightly to $2.74 from $2.70. InvestingPro subscribers can access detailed financial health scores and additional ProTips that provide deeper insights into CDP’s performance metrics.

The new price target of $29 suggests that COPT Defense Properties’ shares are expected to trade at approximately a 14% premium to the current Net Asset Value (NAV) and at around a 14 times multiple of the estimated 2025 Adjusted Funds From Operations (AFFO). The stock currently trades at a P/E ratio of 21.94x, with analyst price targets ranging from $29 to $38.

The adjustment by Citi reflects the analysts’ assessment of the company’s future performance based on the latest financial data and market conditions. COPT Defense Properties specializes in office and data center properties primarily serving the U.S. government and defense contractors, which often results in a unique set of financial dynamics for the company.

Investors in COPT Defense Properties will likely monitor the stock’s performance in relation to the revised price target and Citi’s maintained Neutral stance. The company’s stock price will continue to be influenced by its operational results and the broader market’s valuation of its earnings potential and asset value.

In other recent news, COPT Defense Properties has announced its financial guidance for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. The company anticipates a modest growth in funds from operations (FFO) per share, projecting it to be between $2.62 and $2.70. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the same period are expected to range from $1.27 to $1.35. This anticipated growth is attributed to increased net operating income from the company’s Same Property portfolio, new developments, and acquisitions made in 2024. However, higher interest expenses and lower income from non-recurring items are expected to partially offset these gains.

In addition, Truist Securities has adjusted its outlook on COPT Defense Properties, reducing the stock’s price target from $30.00 to $29.00 while maintaining a Hold rating. The firm cited the company’s consistent earnings growth but noted challenges related to upcoming refinancing activities and significant lease expirations. Truist Securities expressed concern over potential government spending cuts and their impact on COPT’s future earnings, suggesting that consensus FFO estimates for 2026 might be too optimistic. The firm’s revised price target reflects a cautious stance on the stock’s potential performance amid these uncertainties.

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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