Piper Sandler updated its outlook on UDR, Inc. (NYSE: UDR), a real estate investment trust, increasing the price target to $46.00 from the previous $40.00 while maintaining a Neutral rating.
The adjustment comes as the firm shifts to using a 2025 estimated target multiple of approximately 18 times, up from the roughly 16 times 2024 estimate previously used.
The new price target reflects an adaptation to the mid-year valuation practice and considers a range of risks such as regulations, quality of life, inflation, interest rates, economic trends, taxes, and supply.
The firm also made revisions to its forecasts for UDR's future funds from operations (FFO). For the year 2024, the estimate was slightly reduced by $0.02 to $2.43, which still falls within the narrowed guidance range provided by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) of $2.38 to $2.46.
Further adjustments included a decrease in the 2025 FFO estimate by $0.01 to $2.52 and the introduction of a 2026 FFO estimate of $2.61. The estimates for the third quarter of 2024 were set at $0.61, aligning closely with the company's guidance of $0.60 to $0.62.
These updated estimates take into account the second quarter results of 2024 and the impact of $300 million in debt issued in mid-August at a rate of 5.125%, which was used to repay outstanding commercial paper.
Additionally, Piper Sandler lowered its assumed capitalization rate by 60 basis points to 5.0%, leading to an increase in the net asset value (NAV) estimate to $41.60 from the previous $34.70.
In other recent news, UDR reported strong second-quarter results for 2024, exceeding expectations. The robust performance is attributed to significant employment and income growth, fueling high demand for housing and improved resident retention.
Consequently, UDR has raised its full-year guidance for Funds from Operations Adjusted (FFOA) per share and same-store growth.
Truist Securities, noting the company's strong market performance and reduced debt expenses, increased its price target for UDR to $47.00 from the previous $44.00, maintaining a Buy rating. However, RBC Capital adjusted its price target on UDR shares to $40.00, down from $41.00, due to an unexpected drop in occupancy rates and new lease spreads in July, while retaining its Sector Perform rating.
InvestingPro Insights
Piper Sandler's recent price target update on UDR, Inc. (NYSE:UDR) to $46.00, maintaining a Neutral rating, aligns with the company's current market performance and valuation metrics. According to InvestingPro data, UDR's market capitalization stands at $14.34 billion, indicating a sizable presence in the real estate investment trust sector. The company's high P/E ratio of 108.14, with a forward P/E for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 at 113.38, suggests a premium valuation by the market, which could be factored into Piper Sandler's analysis.
InvestingPro Tips highlight the importance of considering UDR's dividend yield, which is at 3.93%, offering investors a stable income stream. This is complemented by a modest dividend growth of 1.19% over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. Additionally, the firm's price is at 99.93% of its 52-week high, reflecting strong recent performance with a year-to-date price total return of 16.85%.
For readers looking for deeper insights, there are additional tips available on InvestingPro that can provide a more comprehensive analysis of UDR's financial health and market position.
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