SmartStop Self Storage Named Top Publicly Traded Storage Company for 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 05 2026
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- Industry Ranking Leadership: SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. has been recognized as the highest-ranked publicly traded self-storage company in Reviewed's Best National Storage Chains of 2026, highlighting its exceptional consumer trust and satisfaction, which further solidifies its leadership position in the North American self-storage market.
- Importance of Customer Feedback: Chairman and CEO H. Michael Schwartz emphasized that this honor stems from genuine customer feedback, underscoring the SmartStop team's passion and commitment to delivering outstanding service, which enhances customer loyalty and brand image.
- Ongoing Investment Strategy: SmartStop remains dedicated to providing clean, secure, and modern storage solutions through continuous investments in its properties, technology, and customer-focused initiatives, aimed at meeting the needs of residential and business customers, thereby driving business growth.
- Extensive Operating Network: As of June 5, 2026, SmartStop owns or manages approximately 460 operating properties across the U.S. and Canada, offering over 270,000 units and more than 35 million rentable square feet of storage space, demonstrating its strong market coverage and operational efficiency.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy SMA?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on SMA
Wall Street analysts forecast SMA stock price to rise
7 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
0 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 32.410
Low
35.00
Averages
39.57
High
41.00
Current: 32.410
Low
35.00
Averages
39.57
High
41.00
About SMA
SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. is a self-managed REIT with a fully integrated operations team of more than 1000 self-storage professionals focused on growing the SmartStop Self Storage brand. The Company is focused on the acquisition, ownership and operation of self-storage properties located primarily within the top 100 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) throughout the United States and Canada. The Company's segments include self storage operations and the Managed REIT Platform business. The Company, through its indirect subsidiary, SmartStop REIT Advisors, LLC, also sponsors other self-storage programs. It owns or manages more than 460 operating properties in 35 states, Washington D.C., and Canada, comprising over 270,000 units and 35 million rentable square feet. The Company and its affiliates own or manage 49 operating self-storage properties across four provinces in Canada, which total approximately 42,200 units and 4.3 million rentable square feet.
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.
SmartStop Self Storage Named Top Publicly Traded Storage Company for 2026
- Industry Ranking Leadership: SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. has been recognized as the highest-ranked publicly traded self-storage company in Reviewed's Best National Storage Chains of 2026, highlighting its exceptional consumer trust and satisfaction, which further solidifies its leadership position in the North American self-storage market.
- Importance of Customer Feedback: Chairman and CEO H. Michael Schwartz emphasized that this honor stems from genuine customer feedback, underscoring the SmartStop team's passion and commitment to delivering outstanding service, which enhances customer loyalty and brand image.
- Ongoing Investment Strategy: SmartStop remains dedicated to providing clean, secure, and modern storage solutions through continuous investments in its properties, technology, and customer-focused initiatives, aimed at meeting the needs of residential and business customers, thereby driving business growth.
- Extensive Operating Network: As of June 5, 2026, SmartStop owns or manages approximately 460 operating properties across the U.S. and Canada, offering over 270,000 units and more than 35 million rentable square feet of storage space, demonstrating its strong market coverage and operational efficiency.
See More
SmartStop Self Storage Named Top Publicly Traded Company
- Top Industry Honor: SmartStop Self Storage REIT has been recognized as the highest-ranked publicly traded self-storage company in Reviewed’s Best National Storage Chains of 2026, highlighting its exceptional consumer trust and satisfaction, further solidifying its leadership position in the North American self-storage market.
- Customer Feedback Driven: This ranking is based on consumer voting, reflecting SmartStop's commitment to providing high-quality facilities and outstanding customer service, with CEO H. Michael Schwartz emphasizing that this honor stems from real customer experiences, showcasing the company's dedication to service excellence.
- Ongoing Investment Strategy: SmartStop remains dedicated to delivering clean, secure, and modern storage solutions tailored to residential and business customers through continuous investments in properties, technology, and customer-focused initiatives, thereby enhancing its competitive edge in the market.
- Extensive Operational Network: As of June 5, 2026, SmartStop owns or manages approximately 460 operating properties across 35 states and Canada, offering over 270,000 units and more than 35 million rentable square feet, demonstrating its robust market coverage and operational scale.
See More
GSI Capital Fully Exits SmartStop Self Storage REIT Position
- Exit Transaction: On May 14, 2026, GSI Capital Advisors sold all 124,919 shares of SmartStop Self Storage REIT, with an estimated transaction value of $4.01 million, indicating a complete exit that may reflect caution regarding the company's future performance.
- Portfolio Shift: Following this transaction, GSI Capital's top five holdings include Equinix, Welltower, and Prologis, suggesting a continued focus on real estate while signaling diminished confidence in SmartStop's prospects.
- Business Improvement: Despite GSI's exit, SmartStop reported a 20% year-over-year revenue increase to $78.3 million in Q1, with net income turning to a profit of $9.6 million from an $8.4 million loss a year earlier, indicating potential operational recovery.
- Future Outlook: Management anticipates adjusted FFO per share between $1.94 and $2.04 for 2026, suggesting that SmartStop sees opportunities for continued growth even in a challenging storage market, which may attract long-term investors.
See More
GSI Capital Exits SmartStop Shares
- Share Exit Transaction: GSI Capital exited 124,919 shares of SmartStop Self Storage REIT in Q1 2026, with an estimated transaction value of $4.01 million, indicating a complete liquidation of its stake and a diminished confidence in this specific stock.
- Asset Management Shift: This transaction resulted in a $3.86 million decline in GSI Capital's quarter-end net position value, reflecting a roughly 2% change in the fund's reportable assets under management, which may impact its overall investment strategy.
- Company Performance Improvement: Despite GSI Capital's exit, SmartStop reported a 20% year-over-year revenue increase to $78.3 million in Q1, with net income swinging to a $9.6 million profit from an $8.4 million loss a year earlier, showcasing its competitive edge in the self-storage market.
- Future Outlook: SmartStop's management anticipates adjusted FFO of $1.94 to $2.04 per share in 2026, indicating potential for continued growth despite a challenging market environment, which may attract long-term investor interest.
See More
SST VI Opens Second Self-Storage Facility in Greater Montréal Area
- Market Expansion: SST VI's second self-storage facility in Montréal, located at 5500 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, is approximately three miles from downtown and benefits from 100,000 vehicles passing daily, significantly enhancing the company's presence in high-demand urban markets.
- Facility Scale: The five-story Class A facility offers approximately 124,000 net rentable square feet and around 1,450 climate-controlled storage units, designed to meet the modern needs of both residential and commercial customers, thereby enhancing customer experience.
- Customer Base: The new facility serves a diverse customer base across high-density communities such as Saint-Henri and Little Burgundy, addressing the growing demand in rental markets and is expected to drive long-term growth for the company in the region.
- Strategic Significance: SST VI's CEO emphasized that this expansion is not merely about adding another location but rather strengthening market position, indicating the company's commitment to building high-quality assets in urban markets characterized by strong demographics and barriers to new supply.
See More
SmartStop Self Storage REIT Q1 Earnings Report
- Disappointing Earnings: SmartStop Self Storage REIT reported a Q1 GAAP EPS of -$0.45, missing expectations by $0.55, indicating pressure on profitability that may affect investor confidence.
- Revenue Growth: Despite the EPS miss, SmartStop achieved revenue of $7.8 million, reflecting a 6.1% year-over-year increase, suggesting resilience in sales capabilities that could lay the groundwork for future recovery.
- Guidance Adjustment: The company narrowed its 2026 same-store revenue guidance to a range of -0.25% to 1.75%, reflecting uncertainty in future market conditions, while projecting adjusted FFO per share between $1.94 and $2.04, indicating a cautious outlook on cash flow.
- Market Rating Attention: Seeking Alpha's Quant Rating highlights SmartStop Self Storage REIT's market performance, prompting investors to closely monitor its future financial results and market reactions to assess investment risks.
See More
SmartStop Self Storage Named Top Publicly Traded Storage Company for 2026
- Industry Ranking Leadership: SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. has been recognized as the highest-ranked publicly traded self-storage company in Reviewed's Best National Storage Chains of 2026, highlighting its exceptional consumer trust and satisfaction, which further solidifies its leadership position in the North American self-storage market.
- Importance of Customer Feedback: Chairman and CEO H. Michael Schwartz emphasized that this honor stems from genuine customer feedback, underscoring the SmartStop team's passion and commitment to delivering outstanding service, which enhances customer loyalty and brand image.
- Ongoing Investment Strategy: SmartStop remains dedicated to providing clean, secure, and modern storage solutions through continuous investments in its properties, technology, and customer-focused initiatives, aimed at meeting the needs of residential and business customers, thereby driving business growth.
- Extensive Operating Network: As of June 5, 2026, SmartStop owns or manages approximately 460 operating properties across the U.S. and Canada, offering over 270,000 units and more than 35 million rentable square feet of storage space, demonstrating its strong market coverage and operational efficiency.
See More
SmartStop Self Storage Named Top Publicly Traded Company
- Top Industry Honor: SmartStop Self Storage REIT has been recognized as the highest-ranked publicly traded self-storage company in Reviewed’s Best National Storage Chains of 2026, highlighting its exceptional consumer trust and satisfaction, further solidifying its leadership position in the North American self-storage market.
- Customer Feedback Driven: This ranking is based on consumer voting, reflecting SmartStop's commitment to providing high-quality facilities and outstanding customer service, with CEO H. Michael Schwartz emphasizing that this honor stems from real customer experiences, showcasing the company's dedication to service excellence.
- Ongoing Investment Strategy: SmartStop remains dedicated to delivering clean, secure, and modern storage solutions tailored to residential and business customers through continuous investments in properties, technology, and customer-focused initiatives, thereby enhancing its competitive edge in the market.
- Extensive Operational Network: As of June 5, 2026, SmartStop owns or manages approximately 460 operating properties across 35 states and Canada, offering over 270,000 units and more than 35 million rentable square feet, demonstrating its robust market coverage and operational scale.
See More
GSI Capital Fully Exits SmartStop Self Storage REIT Position
- Exit Transaction: On May 14, 2026, GSI Capital Advisors sold all 124,919 shares of SmartStop Self Storage REIT, with an estimated transaction value of $4.01 million, indicating a complete exit that may reflect caution regarding the company's future performance.
- Portfolio Shift: Following this transaction, GSI Capital's top five holdings include Equinix, Welltower, and Prologis, suggesting a continued focus on real estate while signaling diminished confidence in SmartStop's prospects.
- Business Improvement: Despite GSI's exit, SmartStop reported a 20% year-over-year revenue increase to $78.3 million in Q1, with net income turning to a profit of $9.6 million from an $8.4 million loss a year earlier, indicating potential operational recovery.
- Future Outlook: Management anticipates adjusted FFO per share between $1.94 and $2.04 for 2026, suggesting that SmartStop sees opportunities for continued growth even in a challenging storage market, which may attract long-term investors.
See More
GSI Capital Exits SmartStop Shares
- Share Exit Transaction: GSI Capital exited 124,919 shares of SmartStop Self Storage REIT in Q1 2026, with an estimated transaction value of $4.01 million, indicating a complete liquidation of its stake and a diminished confidence in this specific stock.
- Asset Management Shift: This transaction resulted in a $3.86 million decline in GSI Capital's quarter-end net position value, reflecting a roughly 2% change in the fund's reportable assets under management, which may impact its overall investment strategy.
- Company Performance Improvement: Despite GSI Capital's exit, SmartStop reported a 20% year-over-year revenue increase to $78.3 million in Q1, with net income swinging to a $9.6 million profit from an $8.4 million loss a year earlier, showcasing its competitive edge in the self-storage market.
- Future Outlook: SmartStop's management anticipates adjusted FFO of $1.94 to $2.04 per share in 2026, indicating potential for continued growth despite a challenging market environment, which may attract long-term investor interest.
See More
SST VI Opens Second Self-Storage Facility in Greater Montréal Area
- Market Expansion: SST VI's second self-storage facility in Montréal, located at 5500 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, is approximately three miles from downtown and benefits from 100,000 vehicles passing daily, significantly enhancing the company's presence in high-demand urban markets.
- Facility Scale: The five-story Class A facility offers approximately 124,000 net rentable square feet and around 1,450 climate-controlled storage units, designed to meet the modern needs of both residential and commercial customers, thereby enhancing customer experience.
- Customer Base: The new facility serves a diverse customer base across high-density communities such as Saint-Henri and Little Burgundy, addressing the growing demand in rental markets and is expected to drive long-term growth for the company in the region.
- Strategic Significance: SST VI's CEO emphasized that this expansion is not merely about adding another location but rather strengthening market position, indicating the company's commitment to building high-quality assets in urban markets characterized by strong demographics and barriers to new supply.
See More
SmartStop Self Storage REIT Q1 Earnings Report
- Disappointing Earnings: SmartStop Self Storage REIT reported a Q1 GAAP EPS of -$0.45, missing expectations by $0.55, indicating pressure on profitability that may affect investor confidence.
- Revenue Growth: Despite the EPS miss, SmartStop achieved revenue of $7.8 million, reflecting a 6.1% year-over-year increase, suggesting resilience in sales capabilities that could lay the groundwork for future recovery.
- Guidance Adjustment: The company narrowed its 2026 same-store revenue guidance to a range of -0.25% to 1.75%, reflecting uncertainty in future market conditions, while projecting adjusted FFO per share between $1.94 and $2.04, indicating a cautious outlook on cash flow.
- Market Rating Attention: Seeking Alpha's Quant Rating highlights SmartStop Self Storage REIT's market performance, prompting investors to closely monitor its future financial results and market reactions to assess investment risks.
See More
