Truist cuts Piedmont Office stock target to $9, maintains Buy

Published 19/05/2025, 16:40
Truist cuts Piedmont Office stock target to $9, maintains Buy

On Monday, Truist Securities adjusted its outlook on Piedmont Office Realty Trust (NYSE:PDM), currently trading at $6.86 with a market capitalization of $855 million, reducing the price target from the previous $10.00 to $9.00, yet reaffirming a Buy rating on the stock. According to InvestingPro analysis, the stock appears undervalued based on its Fair Value metrics. The adjustment by Truist’s analyst Michael Lewis (JO:LEWJ) is attributed to minor revisions in their financial model, which include delayed asset sales and the reinvestment of those proceeds, as well as a slower progression in leased percentage and economic occupancy rates.

Despite these changes, the analyst pointed out that leasing activities for Piedmont Office Realty Trust seem robust. The company is expected to generate significant free cash flow annually according to Truist’s projections. While InvestingPro data shows the company maintains a notable 7.11% dividend yield and has sustained dividend payments for 16 consecutive years, it also indicates some concerns with short-term obligations exceeding liquid assets. The firm’s next debt maturities are not due until 2028, and refinancing is anticipated to be beneficial.

The valuation of Piedmont Office Realty Trust is considered attractive by Truist Securities. The analyst’s statement highlighted the stock’s undervaluation at 5.0 times the estimated 2025 Funds From Operations (FFO) and a 10.0% implied capitalization rate. The revised $9 price target suggests a potential total return of 29.9% for the real estate investment trust’s stock. Discover more detailed valuation metrics and 12+ additional ProTips with a subscription to InvestingPro, including comprehensive analysis in the Pro Research Report.

Truist’s maintained Buy rating indicates their ongoing confidence in the stock’s performance despite the adjusted price target. The firm’s analysis suggests that, while there may be a more gradual improvement in certain financial metrics for Piedmont Office Realty Trust, the overall outlook remains positive with healthy leasing activity and a strong cash flow forecast.

In other recent news, Piedmont Office Realty Trust reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, revealing a negative earnings per share (EPS) of $0.08, which fell short of analysts’ expectations. However, the company’s revenue exceeded forecasts, reaching $142.69 million compared to the anticipated $110.49 million. This revenue beat is significant, though the company’s financial performance was impacted by increased net interest expenses and lower rental income due to property sales. Piedmont’s Core Funds From Operations (FFO) per diluted share decreased to $0.36 from $0.39 in the previous year, attributed to refinancing activities and property sales. Despite these challenges, the company remains focused on modernizing properties and improving leasing strategies. Looking ahead, Piedmont anticipates Core FFO for 2025 to range between $1.38 and $1.44 per diluted share, aiming for an 89-90% lease percentage by year-end. Additionally, the company has suspended dividends to fund internal growth, with a strategic focus on increasing rental rates and enhancing lease percentages.

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