On Friday, UBS initiated coverage on Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE:ADC) stock, a real estate investment trust, assigning a Neutral rating and setting a price target of $60.00.
The firm's stance is based on expectations of limited accretive external growth opportunities and moderate growth in adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) for the company.
Agree Realty's AFFO growth is projected to be at 3.9% for 2024, which is higher than its peers' average of 0.7%, and at 3.2% for 2025, aligning with the peers' 3.9%.
The company has issued conservative guidance for 2024, anticipating acquisition volumes approximately 50% lower than in 2023, indicative of the current difficult macroeconomic environment.
The forecast for Agree Realty's acquisitions stands at $591 million for 2024, closely aligning with the company's guidance of around $600 million, and a significant decrease from the $1.19 billion recorded in 2023.
For 2025, acquisitions are estimated to reach $700 million, with capitalization rates expected to be 7.6% for 2024 and 7.2% for the following year.
Despite the challenges, UBS notes that there is limited near-term downside for Agree Realty due to the high quality of its portfolio.
The company's stock is currently trading at an 11% premium relative to its Triple Net lease peers, compared to its five-year average premium of 16%. This is believed to reflect the company's slower external growth compared to the past.
InvestingPro Insights
Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE:ADC) appears to be in a strong financial position, with a market capitalization of $6.05 billion and a robust revenue growth of 22.32% over the last twelve months as of Q1 2023. This growth outpaces the conservative guidance for 2024 acquisition volumes, suggesting a potential for resilience despite the challenging macroeconomic climate. An InvestingPro Tip highlights that the company has not only maintained but also raised its dividend for 31 consecutive years, showcasing a commitment to shareholder returns. Additionally, the dividend yield stands at an attractive 5.0%, with the latest increase being 4.17%.
While the company is trading at a high earnings multiple with a P/E ratio of 35.54, the solid gross profit margin of 87.76% over the last twelve months indicates efficient operations. Moreover, investors should note that Agree Realty's liquid assets exceed its short-term obligations, as per another InvestingPro Tip, providing financial flexibility. For those interested in deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips for ADC, which can be accessed at https://www.investing.com/pro/ADC. To enhance your investment research, use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription.
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