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Cousins Properties Inc. (CUZ)
NYSE:CUZ
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Cousins Properties (CUZ) AI Stock Analysis

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CUZ

Cousins Properties

(NYSE:CUZ)

Rating:68Neutral
Price Target:
$31.00
▲(11.51% Upside)
Cousins Properties' overall stock score reflects a stable financial position with strong operational efficiency, but challenges in net profitability and cash flow generation. The positive sentiment from the earnings call, driven by strong leasing activity and strategic acquisitions, boosts the score. However, high valuation metrics and neutral technical indicators moderate the overall outlook.
Positive Factors
Earnings Stability
CUZ's earnings are expected to be stable, with below average downside risk, due to its long lease durations and strong balance sheet.
Financial Performance
Cousins Properties reported higher than expected funds from operations per share, and increased their 2025 financial guidance.
Stock Potential
CUZ is upgraded to Outperform from Peer Perform, indicating a strong belief in the stock's potential.
Negative Factors
Atlanta Market
There was a 200bps q/q drop in Atlanta occupancy to 83.1%, with known vacates affecting near-term occupancy.
Leasing Concessions
Leasing concessions for Cousins Properties remain high, representing a larger percentage of rent compared to the sector average.
Occupancy Rates
Office occupancy surprisingly declined 90bps to 89.1%.

Cousins Properties (CUZ) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Cousins Properties Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCousins Properties is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company, based in Atlanta, GA and acting through its operating partnership, Cousins Properties LP, primarily invests in Class A office towers located in high-growth Sun Belt markets. Founded in 1958, Cousins creates shareholder value through its extensive expertise in the development, acquisition, leasing and management of high-quality real estate assets. The Company has a comprehensive strategy in place based on a simple platform, trophy assets and opportunistic investments.
How the Company Makes MoneyCousins Properties generates revenue primarily through leasing its commercial office spaces to tenants. The company earns rental income from long-term leases with various businesses, which are typically structured to include base rent along with additional costs such as property operating expenses and taxes. Additionally, Cousins Properties may engage in property sales or repositioning, generating capital gains. The company also benefits from strategic partnerships with developers and investors, allowing it to expand its portfolio and enhance its revenue-generating capabilities. Market demand for office spaces in targeted regions and the company’s focus on sustainable and innovative building practices further contribute to its revenue growth.

Cousins Properties Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 31, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: 2.58%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 23, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call highlighted Cousins Properties' strong performance in leasing and strategic acquisitions, with positive market trends in key regions. However, challenges such as occupancy declines and large tenant expirations were also noted.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Exceeding Earnings Expectations
Cousins Properties delivered $0.70 per share in FFO, which was $0.01 above consensus expectations.
Strong Leasing Activity
Completed 334,000 square feet of leases during the quarter, with 80% being new or expansion leases. Second-generation cash rents increased by 10.9% in the quarter.
Strategic Acquisition in Dallas
Post quarter-end acquisition of The Link, a lifestyle office property in Uptown Dallas, for $218 million, which is anticipated to be immediately accretive to earnings with a cash yield of 6.7% and a GAAP yield of 8.3%.
Guidance Increase
Increased the midpoint of full-year guidance to $2.82 per share, representing a 4.8% growth rate over last year.
Improving Market Dynamics
Net absorption turned positive, and vacancy levels are declining in key markets like Atlanta, Austin, and Dallas.
Negative Updates
Occupancy Decline
Total office portfolio end-of-period leased and weighted average occupancy percentages were 91.6% and 89.1%, respectively, down primarily due to the known move-out of OneTrust in Atlanta.
Large Expirations
Bank of America in Charlotte has expired, contributing to expected occupancy decline through the third quarter.
Phoenix Market Challenges
Phoenix was the only market that did not post roll-ups in rent, attributed to a tough comparison from previous leases.
Company Guidance
During Cousins Properties' second quarter conference call, the company provided robust guidance, highlighting various metrics. The team reported delivering $0.70 per share in FFO, surpassing consensus by $0.01. Same-property net operating income increased by 1.2% on a cash basis and 1.6% year-to-date. The company completed 334,000 square feet of leases, with 80% being new or expansion leases. Cash rents on second-generation space rose by 10.9% in the quarter and 5.4% year-to-date. Encouraged by these results, Cousins Properties raised its midpoint guidance to $2.82 per share, reflecting a 4.8% growth rate over the previous year. The company also acquired The Link in Uptown Dallas for $218 million, expecting a cash yield of 6.7% and a GAAP yield of 8.3%. The overall leasing pipeline remains strong, with a focus on maintaining a robust balance sheet, reducing CapEx, and exploring potential asset dispositions to fund strategic acquisitions.

Cousins Properties Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Cousins Properties displays a solid financial foundation with a strong balance sheet and healthy cash flows. However, declining revenue and profitability margins in the latest TTM period present challenges. The company should focus on improving operational efficiencies to enhance margins and profitability.
Income Statement
60
Neutral
Cousins Properties has shown a declining trend in revenue with the latest TTM revenue at $654.3 million compared to $856.8 million in the previous year, indicating a decrease. Gross profit margin for TTM stands at 53.35%, while net profit margin is 4.96%, showcasing moderate profitability. Both EBIT and EBITDA margins are stable but reflect a decline from previous periods, suggesting some operational challenges.
Balance Sheet
75
Positive
The balance sheet remains robust with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, indicating moderate leverage. Return on equity for TTM is 0.67%, showing a decrease in profitability relative to equity. The equity ratio is strong at 55.82%, highlighting a solid equity base compared to total assets.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
Free cash flow has grown by 23.33% from the previous year, and operating cash flow remains healthy, with an operating cash flow to net income ratio of 12.83. The company demonstrates effective cash management, although the free cash flow to net income ratio is 5.60, indicating room for improvement in cash conversion.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue925.00M856.76M802.87M762.29M755.07M740.34M
Gross Profit634.71M576.10M536.44M503.92M495.61M489.49M
EBITDA590.02M536.80M504.18M479.14M468.49M466.73M
Net Income39.12M45.96M82.96M279.65M209.37M172.40M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets9.05B8.80B7.63B7.54B7.31B7.11B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments416.84M7.35M6.05M5.14M8.94M4.29M
Total Debt3.53B3.15B2.51B2.39B2.29B2.22B
Total Liabilities4.25B3.93B3.09B2.89B2.71B2.61B
Stockholders Equity4.78B4.85B4.52B4.63B4.57B4.47B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow170.84M147.50M368.36M22.93M-398.33M-268.68M
Operating Cash Flow413.74M400.23M368.36M365.17M389.48M351.09M
Investing Cash Flow-1.15B-1.31B-295.74M-334.50M-191.07M-132.46M
Financing Cash Flow1.15B906.47M-71.72M-35.69M-194.38M-230.09M

Cousins Properties Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price27.80
Price Trends
50DMA
28.62
Negative
100DMA
28.03
Positive
200DMA
28.81
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.37
Negative
RSI
55.86
Neutral
STOCH
70.48
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CUZ, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 27.8 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 27.47, below the 50-day MA of 28.62, and below the 200-day MA of 28.81, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.37 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 55.86 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 70.48 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for CUZ.

Cousins Properties Risk Analysis

Cousins Properties disclosed 27 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Cousins Properties 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

Cousins Properties Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$3.13B24.725.39%6.74%-2.16%-16.41%
74
Outperform
$4.53B20.574.06%5.58%2.26%10.15%
68
Neutral
$4.64B74.761.30%4.60%13.07%-4.94%
66
Neutral
$1.62B-2.52%0.56%-1.68%63.27%
62
Neutral
AU$3.04B8.41-1.53%5.05%16.79%54.28%
59
Neutral
$2.96B67.331.74%5.16%-0.57%
58
Neutral
$4.08B663.10-0.37%5.51%15.25%79.18%
* Real Estate Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CUZ
Cousins Properties
27.80
1.71
6.55%
DEI
Douglas Emmett
14.72
0.40
2.79%
HIW
Highwoods Properties
29.67
-0.27
-0.90%
KRC
Kilroy Realty
38.33
6.67
21.07%
SLG
SL Green Realty
55.53
-5.19
-8.55%
PGRE
Paramount Group
6.88
2.11
44.23%

Cousins Properties Corporate Events

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Cousins Properties Acquires The Link in Dallas
Positive
Jul 31, 2025

On July 31, 2025, Cousins Properties announced the acquisition of The Link, a 292,000 square foot lifestyle office property in Uptown Dallas, for $218 million. The acquisition, which closed on July 28, 2025, is part of Cousins’ strategy to expand its presence in high-growth markets, enhancing its portfolio and geographic concentration. The property is 93.6% leased with a weighted average lease term of over nine years, and the acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings, funded through a combination of excess proceeds from a senior note offering and other financial strategies.

The most recent analyst rating on (CUZ) stock is a Buy with a $31.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Cousins Properties stock, see the CUZ Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and FinancingRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Cousins Properties Enters Underwriting Agreement for Note Sale
Neutral
Jun 6, 2025

On May 28, 2025, Cousins Properties entered into an Underwriting Agreement with Wells Fargo Securities, BofA Securities, and TD Securities to sell notes, with the underwriters agreeing to purchase these notes under specified terms. This agreement, filed as part of a Current Report on Form 8-K, is intended to be incorporated into a Registration Statement on Form S-3, reflecting the company’s strategic financial maneuvering to potentially bolster its market position and liquidity.

The most recent analyst rating on (CUZ) stock is a Buy with a $33.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Cousins Properties stock, see the CUZ 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: Aug 14, 2025