Sector Spotlight: Shopping Centers Are Hot, Retail REITs Are Not!

  • Shopping center REITs show strong fundamentals—high occupancy, rising rents, and solid NOI growth—yet trade at steep discounts to intrinsic value. Current sector valuations are mispriced, with shopping center REITs trading below peers despite superior supply/demand dynamics and AFFO growth. Recent market underperformance is likely unwarranted; if economic uncertainty fades, significant upside exists as shares could rebound to prior highs.