-- CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:
We lower our target price by $6 to $119, recognizing weakness in MAA's key rental markets and a forward P/FFO of 14.0x compared to the multifamily residential REIT average at 15.5x. We raise our FFO estimate in 2026 by $0.15 to $8.50 and lower 2027 by $0.10 to $8.70 per share on total rental revenue of $2.2B and $2.3B, respectively. We have a more cautious FFO outlook for 2027 on our view that raising rents on new leases will be challenging, as it has been in 2026. MAA's geographic footprint in mostly Sun Belt markets faces new supply that has put downward pressure on monthly lease rates and sparked the need for incentives on new tenant leases to meet absorption and reduce vacancies. We do not think the U.S. economy and employment trends are likely to be a catalyst for higher monthly rental rates or revenue. Some of MAA's major Sun Belt markets realized cash NOI declines, like Denver (-13% Y/Y) and Austin, TX (-9% Y/Y), with weakness in other local markets. Dividend yield is 4.7%, which we think is secure.