3 REITs to Consider Purchasing Now: Selections from an Exceptional Real Estate Portfolio Manager
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1d ago
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Should l Buy ESRT?
Source: Barron's
- Market Sentiment: The tech trade is showing signs of fatigue, leading investors to seek alternatives.
- Real Estate Appeal: Real estate stocks are attractive due to their low valuations and high dividend yields, making them a potential investment choice.
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Analyst Views on ESRT
Wall Street analysts forecast ESRT stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ESRT is 9.46 USD with a low forecast of 8.30 USD and a high forecast of 11.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
5 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
2 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 6.590
Low
8.30
Averages
9.46
High
11.00
Current: 6.590
Low
8.30
Averages
9.46
High
11.00
About ESRT
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. is a real estate investment trust (REIT), which owns and operates a portfolio of office, retail and multifamily assets. The Company’s portfolio consists of approximately 7.8 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.8 million rentable square feet of retail space and 732 residential units. Its office portfolio included 10 properties. Nine of these office properties are located in midtown Manhattan and encompass over 7.6 million rentable square feet of office space and 0.5 million rentable square feet of retail space, including the Empire State Building. The Company’s segments include Real Estate and an Observatory. The Real Estate segment includes all activities related to the ownership, management, operation, acquisition, repositioning and disposition of its office, retail and multifamily assets principally located in New York City. The Observatory segment operates the 86th and 102nd floor observatories in the Empire State Building.
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.

- Market Sentiment: The tech trade is showing signs of fatigue, leading investors to seek alternatives.
- Real Estate Appeal: Real estate stocks are attractive due to their low valuations and high dividend yields, making them a potential investment choice.
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- New Tax Initiatives: The new mayor of New York City is focused on increasing taxes for the wealthiest residents.
- Impact on Real Estate: This tax strategy is causing pressure on stocks of real estate investment trusts, particularly those operating in the New York market.
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- Dividend Distribution Overview: Empire State Realty Trust has set a total cash distribution of $0.140 per share for 2025, which includes $0.117 in ordinary dividends, reflecting the company's stable cash flow and shareholder return strategy.
- Tax Treatment Details: The tax treatment for each distribution in 2025 has been clarified, allowing shareholders to report according to the relevant boxes on Form 1099-DIV, ensuring compliance and optimizing personal tax strategies.
- Portfolio Scale: As of September 30, 2025, Empire State Realty Trust's portfolio comprises approximately 7.8 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.8 million rentable square feet of retail space, and 743 residential units, demonstrating its strong presence in the New York City real estate market.
- Energy Efficiency Leadership: The company is recognized as a leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality, further enhancing its competitive advantage in sustainable development and modern office environments.
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- Cash Distribution Overview: Empire State Realty Trust announced a total cash distribution of $0.140 per share for 2025, which includes $0.117 in ordinary dividends, reflecting the company's stable cash flow and shareholder return strategy.
- Tax Treatment Details: The tax treatment of the 2025 cash distributions includes $0.029 in qualified dividends and $0.023 in Section 199A dividends, prompting shareholders to consult personal tax advisors to understand specific tax implications and ensure compliance.
- Portfolio Scale: As of September 30, 2025, Empire State Realty Trust's portfolio comprises approximately 7.8 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.8 million rentable square feet of retail space, and 743 residential units, showcasing its significant presence in the New York City real estate market.
- Landmark Status: The Empire State Building has been ranked as the top attraction in New York City for four consecutive years, further solidifying the company's brand value and appeal, which could drive future leasing and investment opportunities.
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- Valentine's Day Activities: The Empire State Building announces special Valentine's Day events, including an extravagant date night, Paint 'n Pour classes, and movie screenings, aimed at attracting couples to create unforgettable memories on this special day.
- Observation Deck Revamp: The Empire State Building's Observatory underwent a $165 million reimagination, adding an interactive museum with nine galleries, enhancing visitor experience and solidifying its status as NYC's top attraction.
- Visitor Appeal: The Observatory has been voted the #1 top attraction in NYC for four consecutive years in the Tripadvisor 2025 Travelers' Choice Awards, highlighting its significance and allure among tourists.
- Sustainability Commitment: Since 2011, the Empire State Building has been fully powered by renewable wind electricity, showcasing its efforts in environmental sustainability while attracting notable tenants like LinkedIn and Shutterstock.
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- Growth Score Decline: Empire State Realty Trust's Growth score has plummeted from 44.61 to 30.1 within a week, indicating significant challenges in adapting to post-COVID retail and office space dynamics, which may undermine investor confidence.
- Stock Price Downtrend: The company's stock has fallen 35.99% year-to-date and 7% over the past month, reflecting market concerns about its future profitability, which could further impact its financing capabilities and market position.
- Analysts Lower Price Targets: Major analysts, including Wells Fargo, have trimmed their price targets for the stock due to the adverse effects of remote work and weak tourism, resulting in poor performance in Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings, particularly in momentum and growth metrics.
- Consistent Earnings Misses: Empire State Realty Trust has reported a series of misses on top-line estimates in recent quarters, alongside a steady decline in earnings, highlighting its vulnerability in the current economic environment and the need for a strategic reassessment to tackle future challenges.
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