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Americold Realty (COLD)
NYSE:COLD

Americold Realty (COLD) AI Stock Analysis

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COLD

Americold Realty

(NYSE:COLD)

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Neutral 50 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:50Neutral
Price Target:
$13.50
â–²(6.47% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/27/26
The score is held back primarily by weak financial performance (multi-year losses, 2025 revenue and margin deterioration, and negative 2025 free cash flow) and a cautious 2026 outlook that implies lower AFFO alongside high leverage and demand/occupancy headwinds. Offsetting factors include improving technical momentum (positive MACD and price above key short-term averages) and a high dividend yield, plus management actions on costs, portfolio optimization, and deleveraging.
Positive Factors
Stable operating cash flow
Consistently positive operating cash flow ($360–$412M 2023–2025) provides a durable liquidity base to fund maintenance capex, support distributions and execute portfolio actions. Reliable OCF helps bridge volatile free cash flow years and underpins ongoing deleveraging and operational investments over the next 2–6 months.
Higher fixed-contract mix & services margin
A shift to ~60% fixed-commitment contracts materially improves multi-year revenue visibility and cash flow stability versus transaction exposure. Concurrent services margin expansion (Q4 ~14%, FY 12.7%) reflects operational improvements that are less cyclical, supporting sustainable NOI and recurring fee-based income through demand cycles.
Active portfolio & deleveraging actions
Management is executing tangible balance-sheet and portfolio moves—term loan refinancing, Series A repayment, asset exits/idleings and targeted JV/asset sales—aimed at materially lowering leverage. These actions increase flexibility, reduce near-term refinancing risk, and can enhance long-term returns if executed while preserving core cash flows.
Negative Factors
Rising leverage
Higher leverage (debt-to-equity ~1.56) reduces financial flexibility for a capital-intensive REIT and magnifies sensitivity to interest costs and occupancy swings. With returns negative across most years and elevated net leverage, the balance sheet constrains growth and makes timely deleveraging essential to avoid sustained pressure on AFFO and dividend coverage.
Revenue and margin deterioration
A sharp revenue decline and severe gross margin compression in 2025 signal structural earnings weakness, not just transitory noise. Sustained lower volumes and compressed margins undermine cash flow conversion and AFFO stability, forcing greater reliance on cost actions, asset sales or capital redeployment to restore long-term profitability.
Industry oversupply & occupancy risk
Material incremental cold‑storage capacity (management cited ~15%) combined with cautious customer inventories tightens pricing and occupancy over the medium term. This structural oversupply increases renewal and pricing pressure, limits upside from new development, and lengthens the timeline for occupancy and revenue recovery.

Americold Realty (COLD) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Americold Realty Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAmericold is the world's largest publicly traded REIT focused on the ownership, operation, acquisition and development of temperature-controlled warehouses. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Americold owns and operates 185 temperature-controlled warehouses, with over 1 billion refrigerated cubic feet of storage, in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Argentina. Americold's facilities are an integral component of the supply chain connecting food producers, processors, distributors and retailers to consumers.
How the Company Makes MoneyAmericold generates revenue primarily through leasing its temperature-controlled warehouse space to food producers, distributors, and retailers. The company's revenue model is built around long-term contracts with customers, which provides a stable income stream. Key revenue streams include rental income from warehouse space, fees for additional services such as transportation and inventory management, and value-added services tailored to meet specific customer needs. Partnerships with major food and beverage companies enhance its market position and contribute to steady demand for its services. Additionally, Americold may benefit from economies of scale and operational efficiencies as it expands its facility portfolio and optimizes its logistics operations.

Americold Realty Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 19, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 30, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The call presents a cautiously constructive view: the company reported sequential and year-over-year operational improvements (Q4 AFFO beat, NOI/EBITDA/AFFO increases, improved services margin and occupancy momentum) and has materially progressed cost-savings, portfolio optimization, new-business wins, and financing actions. However, significant near-term headwinds remain — including elevated leverage (6.8x), industry overcapacity (notably in U.S. forward-distribution and ports), expected revenue/occupancy pressure in 2026, a material renewal cadence with customers paring back commitments, and guidance that implies a year-over-year AFFO decline. Management has clear priorities and actionable plans (deleveraging, portfolio review, cost reductions, disciplined development), but benefits will take time to realize. Overall, highlights (operational improvement, margin gains, contract stability, cost cuts, and portfolio/financing actions) are notable and actionable, but are balanced by meaningful macro and industry pressures that temper the near-term outlook.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Quarterly and Full-Year AFFO
Q4 2025 AFFO per share of $0.38 (slightly ahead of expectations); full-year 2025 AFFO of $1.43 per share (in line with expectations).
Positive QoQ and YoY Operating Momentum
Q4 delivered year-over-year increases in NOI, core EBITDA, and AFFO dollars — the first YoY quarterly increases since 2024; economic occupancy improved sequentially by 280 basis points in Q4.
Services Margin Expansion
Fourth-quarter services margin nearly 14%; full-year services margin 12.7%, up ~1,000 basis points versus two years ago, reflecting labor initiatives and operational improvements.
Revenue Per Pallet Trends
Services revenue per pallet up 2.4% in the quarter; storage revenue per pallet increased 0.3% in the quarter despite competitive pressures.
Fixed Commitment Contract Mix
Approximately 60% of rent and storage revenues now come from fixed commitment contracts, up from under 40% a few years ago, improving revenue stability and multi-year cash flow visibility.
Cost Savings Initiatives
Identified and largely executed $30 million of annualized savings in indirect warehouse labor and SG&A; expecting to reduce Project Orion and transformation-related cash spend by ~$50 million in 2026.
Portfolio Management Actions
Exited the Brazil JV and strategically exited or idled ~10 North American sites in 2025, removing >22 million cubic feet (~65,000 pallet positions); identified nine additional candidate sites for 2026 with two already closed in Q1.
Deleveraging Progress and Capital Activity
Leverage at 6.8x at Q4-end; entered a $250M term loan in December (proceeds used to reduce revolver and add cash) and repaid a $200M Series A maturity in January — management pursuing transactions (JV or asset sales) to meaningfully reduce leverage toward ~6x or below.
New Business Wins and Development Execution
Won On the Run convenience-store business in Australia (supporting ~600 locations) and expanded retail presence into Europe (Portugal and The Netherlands); three 2025 expansions completed on time and on budget; four in-process developments (Fort St. John, DFW, Christchurch, Sydney) remain on time and on budget.
2026 Financial Guide and Key Line Items
Provided full-year 2026 guidance: AFFO $1.20–$1.30 per share (midpoint $1.25), same-store revenue ~$2.2–$2.27 billion, same-store NOI $735–$785 million, total company NOI $780–$845 million, core SG&A $218–$228 million (midpoint ~7M lower vs prior), core EBITDA $570–$620 million, interest expense $171–$180 million, maintenance CapEx $60–$70 million.
Negative Updates
Guidance Indicates Decline in AFFO
2026 AFFO guidance of $1.20–$1.30 implies a decline versus 2025 AFFO $1.43; the midpoint decline is ~12.6% (range: -9.1% to -16.1%), signaling near-term earnings pressure.
Revenue and Occupancy Headwinds
Management expects ongoing revenue pressure in 2026: revenue per pallet expected to be down ~100–200 basis points and economic occupancy forecasted to be flat to down up to 300 basis points, driven by tight customer inventories and cautious demand.
High Leverage
Net leverage at the end of Q4 was 6.8x, prompting active deleveraging initiatives; management targeting meaningful reduction to ~6x or below to preserve investment-grade status.
Industry Oversupply Concerns
Company cited significant incremental supply in recent years (management referenced ~15% incremental capacity added measured in pallet positions), concentrated in U.S. forward-distribution and port nodes, pressuring pricing and occupancy.
Customer Contract Renegotiation Risk
A meaningful renewal cadence in 2026 with ~30% of fixed contract pool expiring; customers often renewing at lower committed volumes (example: 20k → 17k or 15k pallets), tightening gap between physical and economic occupancy.
Modest Storage Pricing Improvement
Storage revenue per pallet rose only 0.3% in the quarter, indicating pricing remains under competitive pressure despite stronger services pricing.
Asset Underperformance and Network Optimization Needed
Exited/ idled ~10 assets in 2025 and identified nine more targets for 2026 (two closed Q1), reflecting pockets of underperforming capacity and the need for continued consolidation that can be disruptive and reduce short-term revenue.
Throughput and Volume Trends
Throughput decreased slightly sequentially after Q3 inventory inflows; customers continue to manage inventory tightly, limiting volume-driven upside in the near term.
Non-Same-Store Contribution Is Limited Near-Term
Non-same-store NOI contribution is modest (management outlined roughly $20–$22 million at the midpoint), pointing to limited near-term growth from development/M&A ramp in 2026.
Interest and Financing Costs
Guided interest expense of $171–$180 million for 2026; high financing costs exacerbate pressure on earnings while deleveraging actions remain in progress.
Company Guidance
Americold guided full‑year 2026 AFFO of $1.20–$1.30 per share (Q4 2025 AFFO was $0.38; FY2025 AFFO $1.43), noting Q1 is expected to be the low quarter with sequential improvement and that the outlook excludes any unannounced transactions or consumer demand inflection. They expect same‑store revenue of ~$2.20–$2.27 billion, same‑store NOI of $735–$785 million and total company NOI of $780–$845 million, with core EBITDA $570–$620 million, core SG&A $218–$228 million, interest expense $171–$180 million, maintenance CapEx $60–$70 million, transportation NOI roughly $31 million and non‑same‑store NOI ~ $20–$22 million at the midpoint. Guidance assumes revenue per pallet down ~100–200 bps and economic occupancy flat to down up to 300 bps (Q4 economic occupancy rose 280 bps sequentially); Q4 services margin was nearly 14% (FY 12.7%, up ~1,000 bps over two years), services revenue per pallet +2.4% and storage revenue per pallet +0.3% in Q4. Capital and balance‑sheet actions include a December $250 million term loan ($150M to pay revolver, $100M to cash), subsequent $200M Series A repayment, year‑end leverage of 6.8x with a target to move materially lower toward ~6x or below via JV or asset sales, $30M of annualized cost savings largely completed, Project Orion cash spend reduced by ~$50M, and portfolio actions (10 sites exited/idled in 2025 removing >22M cubic feet / >65,000 pallet positions; nine sites identified for 2026; same‑store pool recast to 215 from 219).

Americold Realty Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Operating cash flow is consistently positive, but overall fundamentals are pressured by multi-year net losses, a sharp 2025 revenue decline and severe gross margin compression, rising leverage (debt-to-equity up), and volatile free cash flow that turned sharply negative in 2025.
Income Statement
34
Negative
Revenue has been under pressure, with a sharp decline in 2025 (down ~31% year-over-year) after being roughly flat in 2024. Profitability is the main concern: net income has been negative for multiple years (only 2020 was positive), and 2025 margins deteriorated materially (gross margin fell to ~4% vs ~32% in 2024), suggesting significant cost/one-time headwinds. EBITDA margin has been relatively steady in the mid-teens, but weak bottom-line results and the 2025 margin compression weigh heavily on quality of earnings.
Balance Sheet
45
Neutral
The asset base is sizable and equity remains meaningful, but leverage has risen: debt-to-equity increased to ~1.56 in 2025 from ~1.12 in 2024, reflecting higher reliance on debt financing. Returns on equity are negative across most years, consistent with persistent net losses, which limits balance-sheet strength despite a large equity cushion. Overall, the balance sheet is serviceable for a REIT, but increasing leverage and weak profitability elevate risk.
Cash Flow
38
Negative
Operating cash flow is consistently positive ($360–$412M in 2023–2025), which is a stabilizing factor. However, free cash flow is volatile and turned sharply negative in 2025 (about -$217M) after being positive in 2024, indicating heavy reinvestment/capex or weaker cash conversion. Cash generation is not consistently keeping pace with the capital needs of the business, which reduces financial flexibility.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.60B2.67B2.67B2.91B2.71B
Gross Profit104.66M846.73M770.57M695.96M629.78M
EBITDA379.40M392.96M165.76M417.64M388.42M
Net Income-114.55M-94.31M-336.21M-19.44M-30.45M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets8.12B7.74B7.87B8.10B8.22B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments136.86M47.65M60.39M53.06M82.96M
Total Debt4.50B3.68B3.49B3.58B3.42B
Total Liabilities5.20B4.43B4.23B4.32B4.19B
Stockholders Equity2.88B3.28B3.62B3.77B4.02B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-217.20M102.42M35.92M-22.95M-218.77M
Operating Cash Flow359.64M411.88M366.15M300.00M273.06M
Investing Cash Flow-658.00M-313.18M-357.07M-348.49M-1.24B
Financing Cash Flow383.26M-106.78M-285.00K23.32M431.49M

Americold Realty Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price12.68
Price Trends
50DMA
12.89
Positive
100DMA
12.52
Positive
200DMA
13.84
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.15
Negative
RSI
51.48
Neutral
STOCH
66.35
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For COLD, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 12.68 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 12.87, below the 50-day MA of 12.89, and below the 200-day MA of 13.84, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.15 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 51.48 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 66.35 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for COLD.

Americold Realty Risk Analysis

Americold Realty disclosed 55 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Americold Realty reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Americold Realty Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$33.03B32.637.10%5.01%3.38%17.16%
74
Outperform
$134.14B39.636.21%3.16%10.75%4.29%
71
Outperform
$9.37B28.1911.94%5.69%4.19%-12.19%
71
Outperform
$53.73B33.9618.82%4.63%2.30%-0.22%
65
Neutral
$2.17B12.193.79%4.94%3.15%1.96%
60
Neutral
$9.08B-93.06-1.16%6.18%0.44%75.40%
50
Neutral
$3.61B-57.93-3.72%7.21%-2.60%78.16%
* Real Estate Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
COLD
Americold Realty
12.68
-8.37
-39.75%
CUBE
Cubesmart
41.06
1.39
3.50%
EXR
Extra Space Storage
149.76
3.14
2.14%
PLD
Prologis
141.00
23.41
19.91%
PSA
Public Storage
306.14
12.46
4.24%
LINE
Lineage, Inc.
39.99
-18.05
-31.10%

Americold Realty Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Americold Realty Reports Q4 Results, Issues 2026 Guidance
Negative
Feb 19, 2026

On February 19, 2026, Americold reported fourth-quarter 2025 results showing adjusted funds from operations of $0.38 per share, up 3% year over year, despite a 1.2% decline in revenue to $658.5 million and a wider net loss of $88.3 million, or $0.31 per share. For full-year 2025, revenue fell 2.4% to $2.6 billion and adjusted FFO per share slipped 2.7% to $1.43, as lower warehouse volumes and economic occupancy reflected consumer conservatism and new industry capacity, although services margins and warehouse segment NOI improved on cost reductions and site exits.

Management highlighted achieving a 60% fixed-commitment contract mix and ongoing margin expansion in its Global Warehouse segment, underscoring progress on operational performance and commercial strategy in a challenging cold storage market. Looking ahead, Americold outlined 2026 priorities centered on strengthening its balance sheet, improving profitability of its global real estate portfolio, focusing capital on customer-driven developments, expanding in high-value retail solutions, and executing cost-reduction initiatives, and it issued 2026 AFFO guidance of $1.20 to $1.30 per share, signaling a prudent outlook aimed at reinforcing long-term earnings power for shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (COLD) stock is a Sell with a $13.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Americold Realty stock, see the COLD Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board ChangesFinancial Disclosures
Americold Realty Announces CFO Transition and Leadership Changes
Positive
Jan 26, 2026

On January 26, 2026, Americold Realty Trust announced a chief financial officer transition, appointing veteran real estate finance executive Christopher Papa as executive vice president and CFO effective February 23, 2026, with a compensation package that includes a $650,000 base salary, performance-linked annual incentives and significant equity grants. The board also named current chief investment officer Scott Henderson as interim CFO from January 26, 2026, until Papa joins, while confirming that outgoing CFO Jay Wells had departed the company that day on terms consistent with an involuntary termination without cause; in parallel, chief legal officer Nathan Harwell assumed the expanded role of chief legal and people officer, consolidating oversight of legal, compliance and human resources. Alongside these leadership changes, Americold reaffirmed its full-year 2025 AFFO per share guidance and indicated it expects fourth-quarter 2025 AFFO per share between $0.36 and $0.38, signaling management’s confidence in its financial outlook as it executes its 2026 strategic plan and seeks to bolster balance sheet strength, capital allocation discipline and long-term value creation for shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (COLD) stock is a Hold with a $11.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Americold Realty stock, see the COLD Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Americold Realty Adds New Term Loan to Refinance Debt
Positive
Dec 22, 2025

On December 19, 2025, Americold Realty Trust, Inc. and its operating partnership amended their existing credit agreement to add a new $250 million unsecured delayed draw term loan facility. The company plans to use most of this 2025 Delayed Draw Facility to repay approximately $200 million of 4.68% senior unsecured notes maturing on January 8, 2026, with the remainder available for general corporate purposes, a move that refines its debt profile and provides additional financial flexibility for ongoing operations.

The most recent analyst rating on (COLD) stock is a Hold with a $13.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Americold Realty stock, see the COLD Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Americold Realty, Ancora pact to enhance governance
Positive
Dec 22, 2025

On December 22, 2025, Americold Realty Trust entered into a cooperation agreement with shareholder Ancora and appointed Joseph Reece and Stephen Sleigh as independent directors to its board, expanding the board from nine to 11 members and committing to nominate them at the 2026 annual meeting. As part of the agreement, Americold created a five-member Finance Committee, chaired by director David Neithercut with Reece as vice chair, to review the company’s portfolio, evaluate potential asset sales including possible international divestitures, and make recommendations on capital allocation, debt reduction, dividend maintenance and preservation of core assets, while Ancora agreed to standstill and voting commitments through the defined standstill period, signaling a collaborative approach to governance and an intensified focus on profitability, portfolio optimization and shareholder value.

The most recent analyst rating on (COLD) stock is a Buy with a $14.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Americold Realty stock, see the COLD Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Americold Realty Reaffirms 2025 Financial Outlook
Neutral
Dec 9, 2025

On December 9, 2025, Americold Realty Trust, Inc. reaffirmed its 2025 full-year financial outlook during an investor presentation, aligning with its third-quarter earnings release. The company emphasized its strategic focus on growth through infrastructure, expertise, and partnerships, while addressing various risks and uncertainties that could impact its operations and market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (COLD) stock is a Hold with a $11.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Americold Realty stock, see the COLD Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 27, 2026