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Empire State Realty (ESRT)
NYSE:ESRT
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Empire State Realty (ESRT) AI Stock Analysis

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ESRT

Empire State Realty

(NYSE:ESRT)

Rating:66Neutral
Price Target:
$8.00
▲(8.84% Upside)
Empire State Realty's overall score reflects solid financial performance and strong leasing activity, tempered by high leverage and valuation concerns. Technical indicators suggest a bearish trend, while earnings call insights highlight both strengths in leasing and challenges in the Observatory segment.
Positive Factors
Analyst Recommendation
The analyst's recommendation has upgraded ESRT to Outperform from Peer Perform, indicating a positive outlook.
Leasing Performance
Commercial leasing activity was robust with 379k sf leases signed (+53.4% vs. LTM average) with +10.4% cash leasing spreads.
Observatory Performance
Observatory NOI increased 6.0% y/y with a 1.0% increase in visitors - breaking its two-quarter y/y visitor losing streak.
Negative Factors
Consumer Weakness Impact
About 25% of net operating income comes from the Observatory, which may be impacted by consumer weakness and increased competition.
Guidance Reduction
ESRT cut its FY25 FFOps Guidance by 3.4% to $0.845 with Observatory NOI lowered 7.5%.
Target Price Revision
The target price for Empire State Realty Trust has been lowered from $10.00 to $7.50 due to a revised valuation approach.

Empire State Realty (ESRT) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Empire State Realty Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionEmpire State Realty Trust, Inc. (ESRT) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) based in New York City, primarily engaged in the ownership, operation, and management of office and retail properties. The company is best known for its iconic flagship asset, the Empire State Building, and its portfolio includes a diverse range of high-quality office and retail spaces located in key urban markets. ESRT focuses on creating long-term value through active property management, strategic acquisitions, and sustainable practices that enhance tenant experiences and operational efficiency.
How the Company Makes MoneyEmpire State Realty Trust generates revenue primarily through leasing office and retail spaces within its properties. The company earns rental income from long-term leases with tenants, which typically include provisions for rent escalations over time. Additionally, ESRT benefits from ancillary income sources such as parking facilities, advertising, and revenue from retail operations within its properties. The company may also engage in property management services for third-party clients, further diversifying its revenue streams. Significant partnerships with major corporations and organizations for office leases, as well as its iconic status as a landmark, contribute to high occupancy rates and sustained demand, thus enhancing its earnings potential.

Empire State Realty Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 23, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -7.43%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 22, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflected a mix of positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, Empire State Realty Trust demonstrated strong office leasing performance, leadership in sustainability, success in their multifamily portfolio, a strong balance sheet, and growth in retail acquisitions. However, these were balanced by challenges such as declines in Observatory performance, increased operating expenses, and revised guidance for Observatory NOI. The sentiment is balanced with both achievements and challenges highlighted.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Office Leasing Performance
Empire State Realty Trust achieved approximately 232,000 square feet of office leasing in the second quarter, including 202,000 square feet of new Manhattan office leasing at double-digit positive mark-to-market leasing spreads. The Manhattan office portfolio is 93.8% leased, showing an increase in occupancy.
Sustainability Leadership
Empire State Realty Trust continues to lead in sustainability, with initiatives that focus on business outcomes and achieving sustainability objectives alongside tenants.
Multifamily Portfolio Success
The multifamily portfolio is 99% occupied, achieving 8% year-over-year rent growth in the second quarter.
Strong Balance Sheet
The company maintains a strong balance sheet with no floating rate debt, no unaddressed maturity until December 2026, and a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 5.6x.
Growth in Retail Acquisitions
Empire State Realty Trust closed on a $31 million retail acquisition on North 6th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This acquisition adds to their existing holdings and positions them for long-term growth.
Negative Updates
Challenges in Observatory Performance
The Observatory generated $24 million in NOI in the second quarter, facing a 4.3% decline year-over-year due to a visitation decline of 2.9% and adverse weather conditions.
Increased Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased by 8.8%, primarily due to real estate taxes, cleaning-related payroll, and nonrecurring repair work.
Revised Observatory NOI Guidance
The NOI guidance for the Observatory was revised to a range of $90 million to $94 million due to reduced tourism and adverse weather impacts.
Lower Same-Store Property Cash NOI
Same-store property cash NOI was down 3% year-over-year after excluding lease termination fees and nonrecurring revenue items.
Company Guidance
During the Empire State Realty Trust's (ESRT) second quarter 2025 earnings call, the company provided a detailed update on its financial performance and forward-looking guidance. Core Funds from Operations (FFO) for the quarter was reported at $0.22 per diluted share, while same-store property cash Net Operating Income (NOI) decreased by 3% year-over-year. The Manhattan office portfolio was 93.8% leased, with a positive mark-to-market leasing spread of 7%. The Observatory business faced challenges due to adverse weather, generating $24 million in NOI, a 4.3% decline from the previous year, with a visitation drop of 2.9%. Revenue per capita saw a 2.3% year-over-year increase. ESRT adjusted its full-year Observatory NOI guidance to between $90 million and $94 million, reflecting these challenges. Operating expenses rose by 8.8%, mainly due to real estate taxes and nonrecurring repairs. Looking ahead, ESRT anticipates core FFO for 2025 to range between $0.83 and $0.86 per share, maintaining a strong balance sheet with a leverage ratio of 5.6x net debt-to-EBITDA. The company remains focused on strategic priorities, including leasing, capital management, and sustainability initiatives.

Empire State Realty Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Empire State Realty demonstrates stable revenue growth and profitability. However, challenges like negative operating cash flow and moderate leverage levels could impact financial flexibility.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Empire State Realty's income statement exhibits stable revenue growth with a TTM revenue of $766.81M, which is a slight decrease from the previous annual figure. The gross profit margin is healthy at 47.76%, and the net profit margin stands at 7.20%, indicating profitability. However, the EBIT and EBITDA margins of 20.00% and 44.42%, respectively, suggest room for improvement in operational efficiency. The revenue growth rate from 2021 to TTM is positive, reflecting a steady upward trend in sales.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The balance sheet shows a moderate financial position with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, reflecting a balanced use of leverage. The return on equity (ROE) is relatively low at 3.09%, indicating limited returns to shareholders. The equity ratio of 43.41% showcases a stable equity base but suggests a reliance on debt financing, which could pose risks if interest rates rise.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
Cash flow analysis reveals challenges with a negative operating cash flow of -$20.89M in TTM. However, the company maintains a positive free cash flow of $32.11M, suggesting some capacity to fund operations and investments internally. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.58, indicating that a portion of earnings is being converted into cash, though operating cash flow issues warrant attention.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue768.52M763.15M739.57M727.04M624.09M609.23M
Gross Profit465.94M408.99M400.56M405.69M344.61M318.12M
EBITDA356.59M343.53M336.62M343.92M288.66M251.05M
Net Income44.65M51.64M53.24M40.64M-6.51M-12.52M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets4.08B4.51B4.22B4.16B4.28B4.15B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments136.73M385.46M346.62M264.43M423.69M526.71M
Total Debt2.10B2.48B2.27B2.27B2.34B2.17B
Total Liabilities2.29B2.73B2.49B2.48B2.60B2.42B
Stockholders Equity1.04B1.03B985.52M954.38M998.13M1.06B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow262.70M260.89M232.49M84.91M117.45M39.17M
Operating Cash Flow262.70M260.89M232.49M211.17M212.49M182.29M
Investing Cash Flow-425.03M-397.12M-77.34M-230.89M-212.74M-143.12M
Financing Cash Flow-277.49M158.58M-62.87M-140.24M-93.05M257.17M

Empire State Realty Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price7.35
Price Trends
50DMA
7.88
Negative
100DMA
7.65
Negative
200DMA
8.69
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.12
Negative
RSI
44.65
Neutral
STOCH
52.72
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ESRT, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 7.35 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 7.40, below the 50-day MA of 7.88, and below the 200-day MA of 8.69, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.12 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 44.65 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 52.72 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for ESRT.

Empire State Realty Risk Analysis

Empire State Realty disclosed 59 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Empire State 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

Empire State Realty Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$1.34B17.267.79%4.92%5.60%93.88%
74
Outperform
$1.09B10.494.38%4.63%1.59%
71
Outperform
$713.51M76.523.55%9.83%-25.73%
67
Neutral
$1.19B16.016.26%6.97%11.68%37.31%
66
Neutral
$1.26B31.064.36%1.90%1.77%-8.72%
62
Neutral
$6.87B13.23-1.00%7.29%3.62%-23.52%
56
Neutral
$1.65B-11.87%12.43%-11.06%29.36%
* Real Estate Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ESRT
Empire State Realty
7.35
-2.74
-27.16%
ALEX
Alexander & Baldwin
18.26
0.10
0.55%
SAFE
Safehold
15.29
-7.71
-33.52%
AHH
Armada Hoffler Properties
7.02
-3.91
-35.77%
AAT
American Assets
19.38
-5.10
-20.83%
GNL
Global Net Lease
7.48
0.11
1.49%

Empire State Realty Corporate Events

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Empire State Realty Reports Q2 2025 Financial Results
Positive
Jul 23, 2025

On July 23, 2025, Empire State Realty Trust announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, reporting a net income of $0.04 per share and core funds from operations of $0.22 per share. The company signed 232,108 rentable square feet of leases and maintained a strong liquidity position with $0.7 billion and no floating rate debt exposure. The Manhattan office portfolio saw a leasing rate increase to 93.8%, and the company completed the acquisition of a retail asset in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The Empire State Building Observatory generated $24.1 million in net operating income, and the company continued its stock repurchase program, buying back $2.1 million of common stock during the quarter.

The most recent analyst rating on (ESRT) stock is a Sell with a $7.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Empire State Realty stock, see the ESRT Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Empire State Realty Appoints George Malkin to Board
Positive
Jul 14, 2025

Empire State Realty Trust announced on July 14, 2025, that George L. W. Malkin has joined its Board of Directors, effective July 13, 2025. Mr. Malkin, who has a strong background in operational and financial roles, is the son of the company’s CEO and grandson of its Chairman Emeritus. His appointment is expected to bring valuable insights to the board, enhancing the company’s strategic direction and leadership.

The most recent analyst rating on (ESRT) stock is a Sell with a $7.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Empire State Realty stock, see the ESRT Stock Forecast page.

Shareholder MeetingsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Empire State Realty Holds Annual Shareholders Meeting
Neutral
May 19, 2025

On May 15, 2025, Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. held its annual shareholders meeting where Class A and Class B common stockholders elected the company’s nominees for director, approved executive compensation on a non-binding advisory basis, and ratified Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. These decisions reflect the company’s continued commitment to its governance and operational strategies, potentially impacting its market positioning and stakeholder confidence.

The most recent analyst rating on (ESRT) stock is a Sell with a $7.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Empire State Realty stock, see the ESRT 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