Piedmont Realty Trust (PDM) Receives Upgrade to Buy: Implications for the Stock
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 25 2025
0mins
Should l Buy PDM?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Piedmont Realty Trust Upgrade: Piedmont Realty Trust (PDM) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on rising earnings estimates, which are crucial for stock price movements.
Zacks Rating System: The Zacks rating system evaluates stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and maintains a balanced approach with an equal number of buy and sell ratings, enhancing its reliability compared to traditional Wall Street ratings.
Earnings Potential: Analysts have raised their earnings estimates for Piedmont Realty Trust, projecting earnings of $1.43 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, reflecting a stable outlook.
Investment Opportunity: The upgrade positions Piedmont Realty Trust in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting potential for higher returns and making it an attractive option for investors looking for market-beating opportunities.
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Analyst Views on PDM
Wall Street analysts forecast PDM stock price to rise
1 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 7.820
Low
9.00
Averages
9.00
High
9.00
Current: 7.820
Low
9.00
Averages
9.00
High
9.00
About PDM
Piedmont Realty Trust, Inc., formerly Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., is a fully integrated, self-managed real estate investment company. As an owner, manager, developer and operator of 16 MM SF of Class A properties across major United States Sunbelt markets, the Company is transforming buildings into premier Piedmont PLACEs that enhance each client’s workplace experience. It conducts business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Piedmont Operating Partnership, L.P. (Piedmont OP). Piedmont OP owns properties directly, through wholly owned subsidiaries, and through various joint ventures which it controls. Its portfolio includes 999 Peachtree, 1155 Perimeter Center West, Las Colinas Connection, Park Place on Turtle Creek, Norman Pointe I, US Bancorp Center, The Exchange on Orange, 4250 North Fairfax, Arlington Gateway, Crescent Ridge II, and Wayside Office Park, among others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Helix Partners Sells Entire Stake in SLM Corporation
- Stake Sale Details: Helix Partners Management LP reported selling its entire 200,000-share stake in SLM Corporation on February 13, 2026, for an estimated $5.54 million, indicating a reduced risk appetite towards the specialty lender.
- Company Financial Overview: As of February 12, 2026, SLM shares were priced at $24.76, reflecting a 14.6% decline over the past year, and underperforming the S&P 500 by 27.5 percentage points, raising concerns about its future growth prospects.
- Profitability and Risks: SLM achieved a GAAP diluted EPS of $3.46 in 2025 with a net interest margin of 5.21%, yet the delinquency rate increased to 4.0%, signaling a trend of credit normalization that may cap future growth potential.
- Investor Focus: Despite the management authorizing a new $500 million share repurchase program, analysts suggest that investors should prioritize capital returns and credit metrics over short-term trades, indicating a lack of confidence in SLM's future investment appeal.
See More
Helix Partners Acquires $6.97 Million Stake in Cinemark Holdings
- New Investment Move: On February 13, 2026, Helix Partners Management LP disclosed a new position by acquiring 300,000 shares of Cinemark Holdings, valued at approximately $6.97 million, indicating confidence in the company's potential turnaround.
- Ownership Analysis: This acquisition represents 2.34% of Helix Partners' 13F reportable AUM, highlighting its strategic positioning within a diversified investment portfolio.
- Company Financials: Cinemark reported $858 million in revenue and $51 million in net income for Q3 2026, and despite a 21.1% decline in stock price over the past year, its fundamentals suggest resilience amid challenges.
- Future Outlook: With the elimination of pandemic-related debt and a $300 million share repurchase program alongside a 12.5% dividend increase, investors should monitor whether Cinemark can leverage its improved financial health to generate sustainable cash flow.
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Piedmont Realty Trust Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
- Record Leasing Performance: Piedmont completed 2.5 million square feet of leasing in 2025, exceeding its original target by 1 million square feet, marking the highest leasing volume in over a decade and expected to drive future FFO growth.
- Solid Financial Results: Core FFO per diluted share for Q4 2025 was $0.35, down $0.02 from Q4 2024, primarily due to asset sales and increased interest expenses, although operational growth partially offset this decline.
- Optimistic Outlook: The company projects 2026 core FFO per share in the range of $1.47 to $1.53, reflecting growth in property NOI and decreased interest expenses, with leasing activity expected to reach 1.7 to 2 million square feet.
- Increased Management Confidence: Management emphasized optimism regarding leasing momentum and asset dispositions despite market challenges, anticipating lease percentages to recover to pre-pandemic levels, thereby driving future earnings growth.
See More
Piedmont Realty Trust Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations with Strong Guidance
- Stable Financial Performance: Piedmont Realty Trust reported a Q4 FFO of $0.35 per share, aligning with expectations, which demonstrates the company's resilience amid market fluctuations and boosts investor confidence.
- Slight Revenue Decline: The company generated $142.85 million in revenue for Q4, reflecting a 0.3% year-over-year decline but exceeding market expectations by $3.46 million, indicating its ability to withstand competitive pressures in the real estate market.
- Positive Future Outlook: Guidance for 2026 indicates a projected NAREIT and Core FFO per diluted share of $1.47 to $1.53, surpassing the consensus estimate of $1.46, reflecting management's confidence in future cash flows.
- Strong Market Consensus: The consensus revenue forecast for FY 2026 stands at $564.23 million, suggesting analysts' optimistic outlook on the company's growth potential, which could drive shareholder returns and stock price appreciation.
See More
Piedmont Realty Trust (PDM) Announces 2025 Dividend Tax Treatment
- Dividend Payment Details: Piedmont Realty Trust has set its 2025 dividend at $0.125 per share, with a record date of November 22, 2024, and a payment date of January 2, 2025, indicating the company's ongoing cash flow and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Tax Treatment Clarification: The company has outlined the tax treatment for its 2025 dividends, including ordinary dividends, qualified dividends, and capital gains, urging shareholders to consult their tax advisors, which reflects the company's focus on shareholder interests.
- Market Positioning: Piedmont focuses on the U.S. Sunbelt markets, managing approximately 16 million square feet of Class A properties, committed to providing exceptional office environments that enhance client workplace experiences, showcasing its competitive advantage in the real estate sector.
- Self-Managed Model: As a fully self-managed real estate investment trust, Piedmont demonstrates its integration capabilities and market adaptability through owning, managing, developing, and operating properties, further solidifying its market position.
See More
Piedmont Realty Trust (PDM) Schedules Q4 and Annual Earnings Release for February 11, 2026
- Earnings Release Schedule: Piedmont Realty Trust will release its fourth quarter and annual financial results on February 11, 2026, after market close, highlighting the company's commitment to transparency and investor communication.
- Conference Call Timing: The company has scheduled a conference call for February 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET, where management will review financial performance and engage in a Q&A session, enhancing interaction with analysts and investors.
- Investor Relations Link: Investors can listen to the live or replay of the conference call via the investor relations section of the company’s website, demonstrating the company's focus on diverse and accessible information dissemination channels.
- Company Background: Piedmont Realty Trust is a fully integrated, self-managed real estate investment company operating approximately 16 million square feet of Class A properties across major U.S. Sunbelt markets, showcasing its leadership in the industry and commitment to enhancing client workplace experiences.
See More
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- Stake Sale Details: Helix Partners Management LP reported selling its entire 200,000-share stake in SLM Corporation on February 13, 2026, for an estimated $5.54 million, indicating a reduced risk appetite towards the specialty lender.
- Company Financial Overview: As of February 12, 2026, SLM shares were priced at $24.76, reflecting a 14.6% decline over the past year, and underperforming the S&P 500 by 27.5 percentage points, raising concerns about its future growth prospects.
- Profitability and Risks: SLM achieved a GAAP diluted EPS of $3.46 in 2025 with a net interest margin of 5.21%, yet the delinquency rate increased to 4.0%, signaling a trend of credit normalization that may cap future growth potential.
- Investor Focus: Despite the management authorizing a new $500 million share repurchase program, analysts suggest that investors should prioritize capital returns and credit metrics over short-term trades, indicating a lack of confidence in SLM's future investment appeal.
See More
Helix Partners Acquires $6.97 Million Stake in Cinemark Holdings
- New Investment Move: On February 13, 2026, Helix Partners Management LP disclosed a new position by acquiring 300,000 shares of Cinemark Holdings, valued at approximately $6.97 million, indicating confidence in the company's potential turnaround.
- Ownership Analysis: This acquisition represents 2.34% of Helix Partners' 13F reportable AUM, highlighting its strategic positioning within a diversified investment portfolio.
- Company Financials: Cinemark reported $858 million in revenue and $51 million in net income for Q3 2026, and despite a 21.1% decline in stock price over the past year, its fundamentals suggest resilience amid challenges.
- Future Outlook: With the elimination of pandemic-related debt and a $300 million share repurchase program alongside a 12.5% dividend increase, investors should monitor whether Cinemark can leverage its improved financial health to generate sustainable cash flow.
See More
Piedmont Realty Trust Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
- Record Leasing Performance: Piedmont completed 2.5 million square feet of leasing in 2025, exceeding its original target by 1 million square feet, marking the highest leasing volume in over a decade and expected to drive future FFO growth.
- Solid Financial Results: Core FFO per diluted share for Q4 2025 was $0.35, down $0.02 from Q4 2024, primarily due to asset sales and increased interest expenses, although operational growth partially offset this decline.
- Optimistic Outlook: The company projects 2026 core FFO per share in the range of $1.47 to $1.53, reflecting growth in property NOI and decreased interest expenses, with leasing activity expected to reach 1.7 to 2 million square feet.
- Increased Management Confidence: Management emphasized optimism regarding leasing momentum and asset dispositions despite market challenges, anticipating lease percentages to recover to pre-pandemic levels, thereby driving future earnings growth.
See More
Piedmont Realty Trust Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations with Strong Guidance
- Stable Financial Performance: Piedmont Realty Trust reported a Q4 FFO of $0.35 per share, aligning with expectations, which demonstrates the company's resilience amid market fluctuations and boosts investor confidence.
- Slight Revenue Decline: The company generated $142.85 million in revenue for Q4, reflecting a 0.3% year-over-year decline but exceeding market expectations by $3.46 million, indicating its ability to withstand competitive pressures in the real estate market.
- Positive Future Outlook: Guidance for 2026 indicates a projected NAREIT and Core FFO per diluted share of $1.47 to $1.53, surpassing the consensus estimate of $1.46, reflecting management's confidence in future cash flows.
- Strong Market Consensus: The consensus revenue forecast for FY 2026 stands at $564.23 million, suggesting analysts' optimistic outlook on the company's growth potential, which could drive shareholder returns and stock price appreciation.
See More
Piedmont Realty Trust (PDM) Announces 2025 Dividend Tax Treatment
- Dividend Payment Details: Piedmont Realty Trust has set its 2025 dividend at $0.125 per share, with a record date of November 22, 2024, and a payment date of January 2, 2025, indicating the company's ongoing cash flow and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Tax Treatment Clarification: The company has outlined the tax treatment for its 2025 dividends, including ordinary dividends, qualified dividends, and capital gains, urging shareholders to consult their tax advisors, which reflects the company's focus on shareholder interests.
- Market Positioning: Piedmont focuses on the U.S. Sunbelt markets, managing approximately 16 million square feet of Class A properties, committed to providing exceptional office environments that enhance client workplace experiences, showcasing its competitive advantage in the real estate sector.
- Self-Managed Model: As a fully self-managed real estate investment trust, Piedmont demonstrates its integration capabilities and market adaptability through owning, managing, developing, and operating properties, further solidifying its market position.
See More
Piedmont Realty Trust (PDM) Schedules Q4 and Annual Earnings Release for February 11, 2026
- Earnings Release Schedule: Piedmont Realty Trust will release its fourth quarter and annual financial results on February 11, 2026, after market close, highlighting the company's commitment to transparency and investor communication.
- Conference Call Timing: The company has scheduled a conference call for February 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET, where management will review financial performance and engage in a Q&A session, enhancing interaction with analysts and investors.
- Investor Relations Link: Investors can listen to the live or replay of the conference call via the investor relations section of the company’s website, demonstrating the company's focus on diverse and accessible information dissemination channels.
- Company Background: Piedmont Realty Trust is a fully integrated, self-managed real estate investment company operating approximately 16 million square feet of Class A properties across major U.S. Sunbelt markets, showcasing its leadership in the industry and commitment to enhancing client workplace experiences.
See More
