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SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (SMA)
NYSE:SMA
US Market

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (SMA) AI Stock Analysis

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SMA

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc.

(NYSE:SMA)

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Neutral 61 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:61Neutral
Price Target:
$35.00
▲(4.95% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/28/26
The score is driven primarily by moderate financial performance: strong top-line growth and improving cash generation/leverage are offset by recent net losses and margin compression. Technicals are mixed with neutral momentum, while valuation is constrained by negative earnings despite a solid dividend yield. Earnings-call commentary and recent financing actions add support through maintained guidance and improved financial flexibility, but do not fully offset profitability inconsistency.
Positive Factors
Recurring rental revenue model
Month-to-month self-storage leases create steady, recurring rental cash flows and high customer stickiness. This business model supports predictable operating cash generation, resilience to short-term demand swings, and reliable distributions that underpin long-term capital allocation and growth planning.
Revenue scale & improving cash flow
Sustained revenue growth and a rebound in operating/free cash flow strengthen SmartStop's ability to self-fund acquisitions, maintain dividends, and de-risk leverage. Growing scale improves operating leverage, enabling continued investment in platform expansion and higher resilience across real estate cycles.
Platform expansion via acquisitions
Doubling store count and adding third‑party management capabilities materially expands SmartStop's geographic footprint and recurring management fee potential. Combined with access to Maple bonds and an enlarged revolver, this strategic scale boosts competitive positioning and creates cross-selling and clustering benefits.
Negative Factors
Recent return to net losses
Swinging from prior profitability into consecutive net losses undermines retained earnings and raises uncertainty around sustainable earnings power. Persistent earnings volatility can constrain internal funding, reduce cushion for downturns, and complicate long-term dividend and leverage planning.
Margin compression and NOI pressure
A discernible step-down in margins and weakening same-store NOI signal rising cost or pricing pressure. If structural, this erodes FFO conversion and free cash flow margins, limiting reinvestment capacity, slowing deleveraging, and making long-term profitability more sensitive to market supply dynamics.
Localized supply & tenant risk
Concentrated new supply in Toronto and isolated tenant defaults (noted elsewhere in filings) create persistent localized headwinds. Overbuilding and tenant concentration can depress occupancy and rents for multiple quarters, reducing NOI and challenging the economics of affected assets within the portfolio.

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (SMA) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSmartStop is a technology-driven, self-managed REIT with a fully integrated operations team of approximately 570 self-storage professionals. It is one of the largest self-storage companies in North America, with a growing portfolio in Canada and high-growth markets in the U.S.
How the Company Makes MoneySmartStop generates revenue primarily through the rental of storage units to customers, which constitutes its main revenue stream. The company offers various types of storage options, including climate-controlled units, traditional storage units, and vehicle storage, catering to both individual and commercial clients. Additionally, SmartStop may earn income from ancillary services such as the sale of moving supplies and insurance options for stored items. The company's revenue model is supported by a strategic focus on acquiring and developing high-demand storage properties in key markets, enhancing its portfolio and operational efficiency. Partnerships with local businesses and online platforms for marketing can also contribute to increased customer acquisition and higher occupancy rates, further bolstering its earnings.

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 05, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 13, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mix of achievements and challenges. The highlights include sector-leading revenue growth and strategic acquisitions, while lowlights focus on unexpected costs and market challenges. Overall, the positive developments and strategic steps taken by SmartStop position the company well for future growth.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Sector-leading Same-store Revenue Growth
The company posted a strong third quarter with sector-leading same-store revenue growth of 2.5% and average occupancy of 92.6%, both largely in line with expectations.
Successful Entry into Canadian Maple Bond Market
SmartStop returned to the Canadian Maple bond market, raising CAD 200 million at a 3.89% coupon with a 5-year maturity.
Acquisition of Argus Professional Storage Management
SmartStop completed the acquisition of Argus, doubling the store count to over 460 self-storage properties in North America and increasing overall owned and managed net rental square feet to over 35 million.
Inclusion in MSCI U.S. REIT Index
SmartStop was included as a member of the MSCI U.S. REIT Index, known as the RMZ.
Record Lead Conversion and Tenant Protection Hit Rate
The company posted the highest ever lead conversion statistics and highest hit rate on tenant protection in its history.
Negative Updates
FFO as Adjusted Per Share Below Expectations
Reported FFO as adjusted per share of $0.47, which was about $0.02 below expectations due to an unexpected vacate of an industrial tenant and recognition of onetime equity-based compensation expense.
Challenges in the Toronto Market
The Toronto market is experiencing a significant amount of new supply, impacting about half of SmartStop's properties, though the company expects this to drop in the coming years.
Industrial Tenant Default
An industrial tenant at one of the non-same-store properties defaulted on their lease, vacating space that accounted for approximately $730,000 of annual NOI.
Company Guidance
During the SmartStop Self Storage's third quarter earnings call, the company highlighted several key performance metrics and strategic initiatives. The company reported sector-leading same-store revenue growth of 2.5% and an average occupancy rate of 92.6%, both aligning with expectations. However, the Adjusted Funds from Operations (FFO) per share came in at $0.47, slightly below projections due to an unexpected tenant vacate and a one-time compensation expense. SmartStop maintained its full-year FFO guidance midpoint and announced raising CAD 200 million in the Canadian Maple bond market with a 3.89% coupon. The company acquired approximately $86 million in storage properties and increased its loans to managed REITs by $20 million in the quarter, deploying a total of $106 million of capital. Additionally, the acquisition of Argus Management doubled SmartStop's store count, enhancing its data sets and market clustering, and paving the way for expansion into the Canadian third-party management market. The call also noted SmartStop's inclusion in the MSCI U.S. REIT Index and discussed the broader strategic vision for growth amid a recovering self-storage market.

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong revenue growth (notably accelerating in 2025) and solid EBITDA margin support operating strength, while operating cash flow and free cash flow remain positive and improved in 2025. Offsetting this, net income has reverted to losses in 2024–2025 and gross margin compressed in 2025, keeping overall financial quality moderate despite improved leverage.
Income Statement
58
Neutral
Revenue has scaled meaningfully over time (2020: ~$124M to 2025: ~$281M), including a sharp acceleration in 2025 (44.6% growth). Operating profitability looks solid on an EBITDA basis (2025 EBITDA margin ~47%), but the quality of earnings is mixed: net income has swung from profit (2022–2023) back to losses (2024–2025), with 2025 net margin slightly negative. Gross margin also shows a notable step-down in 2025 versus prior years, suggesting either higher costs or reporting/mix effects that pressure bottom-line consistency.
Balance Sheet
55
Neutral
Leverage is material but improved: debt relative to equity moved from elevated levels in 2023–2024 (about 1.6x to 2.3x) to under 1.0x in 2025, which is a meaningful de-risking signal. That said, absolute debt remains high (2025 total debt ~$1.10B) and profitability to equity is weak given the recent net losses (2024–2025 negative returns). Overall, the balance sheet trajectory is better, but earnings volatility keeps the leverage profile from scoring higher.
Cash Flow
63
Positive
Cash generation is steady and improving in the latest year: operating cash flow rose to ~$85M in 2025 from ~$64M in 2024, and free cash flow is positive across all periods shown (and equals operating cash flow in the provided data). Free cash flow growth rebounded in 2025 after declines in 2023–2024. A key watch item is that cash flow coverage metrics are inconsistent (including a 2025 value shown as 0.0), but overall cash flow appears resilient versus the reported net losses.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue194.44M281.14M237.01M232.99M206.32M168.76M
Gross Profit128.90M26.07M157.69M158.50M148.91M114.91M
EBITDA125.08M133.26M124.03M131.09M127.25M65.38M
Net Income-4.62M-1.55M-5.62M9.75M18.82M-16.90M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.39B2.43B2.04B1.90B1.95B1.62B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments54.21M59.37M23.11M45.08M39.49M37.25M
Total Debt1.04B1.10B1.32B1.09B1.07B873.87M
Total Liabilities1.10B1.15B1.37B1.13B1.11B943.22M
Stockholders Equity1.20B1.18B584.10M671.97M740.29M610.42M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow81.38M84.97M64.03M73.19M87.91M58.76M
Operating Cash Flow81.38M84.97M64.03M73.19M87.91M58.76M
Investing Cash Flow-452.07M-380.75M-180.94M262.00K-205.15M-120.21M
Financing Cash Flow380.81M325.23M94.82M-66.10M120.07M25.67M

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$4.55B18.117.05%2.93%-0.87%
65
Neutral
$2.17B12.193.79%4.94%3.15%1.96%
65
Neutral
$1.73B16.318.04%5.72%47.75%
63
Neutral
$6.53B48.7923.75%12.79%8.88%131.78%
63
Neutral
$5.07B35.1319.88%5.02%-1.48%-50.05%
61
Neutral
$1.98B-200.90-0.58%3.42%12.57%4.92%
59
Neutral
$1.75B1.4438.93%952.55%
* Real Estate Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SMA
SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc.
33.35
1.97
6.27%
CXW
CoreCivic
17.68
-1.08
-5.76%
RYN
Rayonier
21.49
-2.40
-10.06%
EPR
EPR Properties
59.41
9.72
19.57%
OUT
Outfront Media
28.81
11.38
65.26%
UNIT
Uniti Group
7.32
-2.20
-23.11%

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. Corporate Events

Dividends
SmartStop Self Storage REIT Declares March 2026 Dividend
Positive
Feb 25, 2026

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc., a self‑storage focused real estate investment trust, continues to serve individual and business storage customers through its portfolio of facilities in the commercial real estate sector. The company operates within the competitive self‑storage market, aiming to generate stable income for investors through its property holdings.

On February 24, 2026, SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc.’s board declared a March 2026 monthly dividend targeting an annualized payout of $1.60 per share. The dividend of $0.13589041 per share will be paid on April 15, 2026, to stockholders of record as of March 31, 2026, underscoring the REIT’s ongoing commitment to returning cash to shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (SMA) stock is a Buy with a $36.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. stock, see the SMA Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
SmartStop Self Storage REIT Reshapes Leadership and Board
Positive
Feb 20, 2026

On Feb. 19, 2026, SmartStop Self Storage REIT expanded its board of directors from five to six members and appointed Chief Investment Officer Wayne Johnson as an employee director, reflecting his long-standing role in driving the company’s growth since its formation in 2013 and his broad leadership experience in self-storage and commercial real estate. Johnson, a prominent industry figure who has held senior roles across SmartStop’s managed REITs and serves on key self-storage trade association boards, will serve as a director until the next annual shareholders’ meeting and will not receive additional compensation or committee assignments for this role.

Concurrent with his board appointment on Feb. 19, 2026, Johnson resigned as SmartStop’s president, a position he had held since 2019, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer H. Michael Schwartz assumed the additional title of president without extra pay. The management reshuffle consolidates executive leadership under Schwartz while elevating Johnson’s influence at the board level, signaling a strategic tightening of governance and oversight as SmartStop continues to pursue its long-term growth strategy in the North American self-storage market.

The most recent analyst rating on (SMA) stock is a Hold with a $33.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. stock, see the SMA Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
SmartStop Self Storage Expands Revolving Credit Facility Capacity
Positive
Feb 18, 2026

On February 18, 2026, SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. closed a second amended and restated senior unsecured revolving credit facility totaling $500 million with a syndicate of banks led by KeyBank and several major North American lenders. The multi‑currency facility, which replaces a 2024 agreement and keeps the prior $68.3 million balance outstanding, can be increased by up to $1.1 billion to a potential $1.6 billion and allows borrowing in both U.S. and Canadian dollars.

The new facility runs to February 18, 2030 with a one‑year extension option and features initial Daily Simple SOFR advances priced about 30 basis points below the previous revolver, lowering SmartStop’s cost of debt while laddering maturities. The unsecured, fully recourse structure sits pari passu with existing notes and is governed by customary covenants and leverage, coverage, and net‑worth tests, enhancing financial flexibility to support SmartStop’s growth strategy and reinforcing lender confidence in its investment‑grade balance sheet and expanding North American self‑storage portfolio.

The most recent analyst rating on (SMA) stock is a Hold with a $33.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. stock, see the SMA Stock Forecast page.

Dividends
SmartStop Self Storage REIT Declares February 2026 Dividend
Positive
Jan 30, 2026

On January 29, 2026, SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. announced that its board of directors declared a February 2026 monthly dividend for common stockholders, corresponding to a targeted annualized dividend rate of $1.60 per share. The February dividend of $0.12273973 per share will be paid on March 13, 2026, to stockholders of record as of February 27, 2026, underscoring the company’s continued commitment to returning capital to shareholders through regular cash distributions.

The most recent analyst rating on (SMA) stock is a Buy with a $35.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. stock, see the SMA Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
SmartStop Self Storage Reports Stable Occupancy, Softer New Rates
Neutral
Jan 8, 2026

On January 8, 2026, SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. reported operating metrics for its same-store self-storage facilities that had been included in its consolidated results since January 1, 2024, excluding four properties. For these same-store locations, physical occupancy was essentially flat year over year at 92.1% as of December 31, 2025, compared with 92.3% a year earlier, while monthly web and move-in rates declined from $0.97 to $0.91 and from $0.94 to $0.88, respectively, over the same period; however, monthly in-place rental rates held steady at $1.63, suggesting that while pricing for new and online customers eased, revenue from existing tenants remained stable going into year-end 2025.

The most recent analyst rating on (SMA) stock is a Hold with a $33.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. stock, see the SMA Stock Forecast page.

Dividends
SmartStop Self Storage REIT Declares January 2026 Dividend
Positive
Dec 23, 2025

On December 22, 2025, SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc., a REIT specializing in self-storage properties, announced that its Board of Directors had declared a monthly dividend for January 2026 corresponding to a targeted annualized dividend rate of $1.60 per share. The company set January 30, 2026 as the record date for the January 2026 common stock dividend of $0.13589041 per share, which is scheduled to be paid on February 13, 2026 to stockholders of record, signaling the continuation of regular cash returns to shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (SMA) stock is a Buy with a $39.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. stock, see the SMA Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
SmartStop Self Storage Reports Stable In-Place Rates
Neutral
Dec 8, 2025

On December 8, 2025, SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. reported metrics for its same store facilities, showing a slight increase in physical occupancy from 92.2% in 2024 to 92.4% in 2025. However, the company experienced a decrease in monthly web and move-in rates over the same period, while monthly in-place rates remained stable.

The most recent analyst rating on (SMA) stock is a Hold with a $35.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. stock, see the SMA 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 28, 2026