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Why Is Essex Property Trust (ESS) Up 1.1% Since Last Earnings Report?
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A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Essex Property Trust (ESS - Free Report) . Shares have added about 1.1% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Essex Property Trust due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Essex Property Trust reported third-quarter 2018 core FFO per share of $3.15, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. Core FFO per share improved 5.7% from the year-ago quarter figure of $2.98.
Results reflect growth in same-property NOI. Improving economic environment and job growth helped in driving housing demand. Specifically, apartment fundamentals were healthy in the coastal metros of California and Washington. Moreover, Essex Property raised its guidance for 2018.
Total revenues of $350.9 million in the reported quarter grew 1.9% year over year. However, the figure marginally missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $351.6 million.
Quarter in Detail
During the reported quarter, Essex Property’s same-property gross revenues grew 2.2% from the prior-year quarter while same-property NOI improved 2.4% year over year. However, financial occupancies of 96.4% contracted 30 basis points (bps) year over year.
Essex Property exited third-quarter 2018 with cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, of $174.6 million, up from $61.1 million recorded at the end of 2017. As of Oct 22, 2018, the company had $1.2 billion in undrawn capacity on its unsecured credit facilities.
Notably, the company did not issue any shares of common stock under its equity distribution program in the third quarter. Moreover, it did not repurchase any shares of common stock in the quarter under review.
Outlook
For 2018, the company now projects core FFO per share of $12.51-$12.61, denoting 3 cents per share increase at the mid-point. The current-year projection is backed by expectations for same-property revenue growth of 2.7-2.9% and same-property NOI growth of 2.7- 3.0%.
For fourth-quarter 2018, the company projects core FFO per share of $3.13-$3.23.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed an upward trend in fresh estimates.
VGM Scores
Currently, Essex Property Trust has a subpar Growth Score of D, however its Momentum Score is doing a bit better with a C. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Notably, Essex Property Trust has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
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Why Is Essex Property Trust (ESS) Up 1.1% Since Last Earnings Report?
A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Essex Property Trust (ESS - Free Report) . Shares have added about 1.1% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Essex Property Trust due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Essex Property Beats Q3 FFO Estimates, Raises View
Essex Property Trust reported third-quarter 2018 core FFO per share of $3.15, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. Core FFO per share improved 5.7% from the year-ago quarter figure of $2.98.
Results reflect growth in same-property NOI. Improving economic environment and job growth helped in driving housing demand. Specifically, apartment fundamentals were healthy in the coastal metros of California and Washington. Moreover, Essex Property raised its guidance for 2018.
Total revenues of $350.9 million in the reported quarter grew 1.9% year over year. However, the figure marginally missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $351.6 million.
Quarter in Detail
During the reported quarter, Essex Property’s same-property gross revenues grew 2.2% from the prior-year quarter while same-property NOI improved 2.4% year over year. However, financial occupancies of 96.4% contracted 30 basis points (bps) year over year.
Essex Property exited third-quarter 2018 with cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, of $174.6 million, up from $61.1 million recorded at the end of 2017. As of Oct 22, 2018, the company had $1.2 billion in undrawn capacity on its unsecured credit facilities.
Notably, the company did not issue any shares of common stock under its equity distribution program in the third quarter. Moreover, it did not repurchase any shares of common stock in the quarter under review.
Outlook
For 2018, the company now projects core FFO per share of $12.51-$12.61, denoting 3 cents per share increase at the mid-point. The current-year projection is backed by expectations for same-property revenue growth of 2.7-2.9% and same-property NOI growth of 2.7- 3.0%.
For fourth-quarter 2018, the company projects core FFO per share of $3.13-$3.23.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed an upward trend in fresh estimates.
VGM Scores
Currently, Essex Property Trust has a subpar Growth Score of D, however its Momentum Score is doing a bit better with a C. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Notably, Essex Property Trust has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.