Regency Centers raises full-year forecast on strong leasing demand

July 29 (Reuters) - Regency Centers REG.O on Wednesday raised its full-year forecast for Nareit funds from operations (FFO) and core profit, betting on rising rental rates and robust leasing demand at its grocery-anchored shopping centers.

• Commercial real estate investment trusts such as Regency Centers have benefited from resilient demand for their shopping malls, lifting leasing activity, occupancy rates and rents.
• Regency's portfolio of premium shopping centers is concentrated in higher-income neighborhoods where consumers have high spending power despite economy uncertainties.
• Regency Centers' portfolio includes 481 properties as of 2025, which are leased among others to major grocers, including Kroger KR.N, as well as retailers such as TJX Companies TJX.N, Kohl's KSS.N, Albertsons ACI.N and Target TGT.N.
• The company now expects 2026 National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (Nareit) FFO per share between $4.84 and $4.88, compared to prior forecast of $4.83 to $4.87 per share.
• Regency expects annual core operating earnings per share to range between $4.62 and $4.66, up from its prior forecast of $4.59 to $4.63 per share.
• For the second quarter ended June 30, the company reported FFO of $1.21 per share, in line with analysts' estimate, according to data compiled by LSEG.