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On Monday, Jefferies initiated coverage on Kilroy Realty Corporation (NYSE:KRC), assigning the real estate investment trust a Hold rating and setting a price target of $34.00. Trading at $33.18 with a market capitalization of $3.96 billion, the stock appears fairly valued according to InvestingPro analysis. The firm’s analysis pointed to challenges in the company’s portfolio, particularly concerning occupancy rates and leasing activity.
Kilroy Realty, which specializes in office properties in the West Coast of the United States, faces an uphill battle with expiring leases. According to Jefferies, approximately 549,000 square feet of space is set to expire in 2026, representing 11.8% of the company’s annual base rent. The firm anticipates a year-over-year decline in occupancy of 300 basis points by 2026. Despite these challenges, InvestingPro data shows the company maintains a healthy current ratio of 1.83, indicating strong ability to meet short-term obligations.
Despite these concerns, Kilroy Realty’s management has highlighted several assets with potential for occupancy growth, including West 8th in Seattle, Indeed Tower in Austin, and 2100 Kettner in San Diego. The company offers a substantial 6.51% dividend yield and has maintained dividend payments for 29 consecutive years, according to InvestingPro. However, Jefferies notes that current foot traffic data suggests that demand and utilization in Kilroy Realty’s markets remain lackluster.
Another point of concern for Jefferies is the slow lease-up expected at Oyster Point Phase II, with the firm modeling stabilization not occurring until 2028. This slow progress is anticipated to weigh heavily on Kilroy Realty’s earnings, contributing to Jefferies’ 2026 earnings estimate of $3.78 per share, which falls below the consensus estimate of $4.05.
The Hold rating reflects Jefferies’ cautious stance on Kilroy Realty’s stock, as the company navigates through a challenging market environment and strives to mitigate the impact of expiring leases on its overall performance.
In other recent news, Kilroy Realty Corporation reported strong financial results for the fourth quarter of 2024, with earnings per share reaching $0.50, significantly surpassing the forecasted $0.32. The company’s revenue also exceeded expectations, coming in at $286.4 million against a forecast of $277.97 million. Barclays (LON:BARC) analyst Anthony F. Powell upgraded Kilroy Realty’s stock from Equalweight to Overweight, raising the price target from $42.00 to $44.00, citing an attractive valuation compared to peers. Conversely, RBC Capital Markets adjusted its price target for Kilroy Realty to $39, maintaining a Sector Perform rating, reflecting anticipated earnings volatility due to lease expirations and market competition.
Kilroy Realty announced a quarterly dividend of $0.54 per share, payable on April 9, 2025, maintaining an annualized rate of $2.16 per share. The company is actively pursuing several development projects, including life science redevelopments and a major development project estimated at $1.0 billion. Kilroy Realty’s commitment to sustainability has earned it carbon-neutral operations since 2020, with high levels of LEED and ENERGY STAR certifications across its portfolio.
The company’s strategic focus on high-quality markets such as San Francisco, Bellevue, and Austin has bolstered its competitive position, with a noted increase in leasing activity. Kilroy Realty’s 2025 Funds From Operations (FFO) guidance is set between $3.85 and $4.05 per share, with occupancy expected to stabilize after the first quarter of 2025. These developments reflect Kilroy Realty’s proactive approach to addressing upcoming lease expirations and exploring potential land sales to generate over $150 million in proceeds.
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