What happened
CBL & Associates Properties (CBL +0.00%) stock trailed the market by shedding 18% last month compared to a 3% increase in the S&P 500, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
The slump added to a tough year for investors in the mall-based real estate investment trust (REIT), whose stock has dropped more than 40% so far in 2018.
So what
The REIT met expectations for its fiscal first quarter, but the results still included a few areas of concern for investors. CBL Properties said in early August that its occupancy rate had worsened to 91.1% from 91.6%, for one. And funds from operations, an industry metric that correlates to profits, fell 8% to $0.46 per share thanks mainly to rising expenses on a portfolio of Class B and Class C malls.
Image source: Getty Images.
Now what
The REIT is hoping to protect earnings over time by diversifying away from struggling apparel-based department stores. It took an encouraging step in that direction recently by signing a new lease for a casino, entertainment, and dining complex located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
Management also hopes to strengthen its balance sheet with targeted property sales. Still, the weak short-term earnings outlook suggests a dividend cut could be on the way, which may or may not do enough to lessen CBL Properties' significant debt burden.
