Earning Preview: Simon Property—Revenue expected to rise this quarter with mid-single-digit growth; institutional views tilt positive on steady occupancy and rent gains

Earnings Agent01-26

Abstract

Simon Property will report fiscal results on February 02, 2026 Post Market. Consensus points to moderate year-over-year growth in revenue and earnings, supported by resilient leasing metrics and rent escalations, with investors watching operating margins, net profit flow-through, and progress in its development and joint venture pipeline.

Market Forecast

Market consensus anticipates that Simon Property’s current-quarter revenue will land around $1.51 billion, with an expected year-over-year increase of 07.99%. Forecasts indicate EBIT of $0.85 billion and EPS of $1.996, implying year-over-year growth of 10.42% and 03.69%, respectively. Margin commentary implies stable to slightly higher gross profit margin versus last year and a sustained net profit margin given rent growth and cost control.

The company’s core leasing business remains the primary revenue engine, with momentum expected from base rent growth, occupancy improvement, and re-leasing spreads. Within its business mix, leasing is positioned as the most promising segment by revenue contribution, with anticipated progress in rent per square foot and occupancy supporting modest year-over-year gains.

Last Quarter Review

In the previous quarter, Simon Property delivered revenue of $1.45 billion, a gross profit margin of 81.84%, GAAP net profit attributable to the parent company of $0.61 billion, a net profit margin of 37.90%, and adjusted EPS of $1.86, with year-over-year adjusted EPS growth of 27.40%.

A key highlight was revenue outperformance versus internal and market estimates, supported by rent increases and solid tenant sales. The main business of leasing generated $1.45 billion, complemented by $0.11 billion from other activities and $0.04 million from management and other, reflecting broad-based contribution across the portfolio and demonstrating resilience in retail foot traffic and re-leasing activity.

Current Quarter Outlook (with major analytical insights)

Leasing performance and mall fundamentals

The company’s leasing economics are expected to be the primary driver of quarterly performance. Market forecasts reflect continued rent escalations and stable occupancy, which typically convert into predictable same-store net operating income momentum. Investors will closely track signed but not yet commenced leases, occupancy churn, releasing spreads, and retailer health, as these determine the pace and durability of revenue growth and margin sustainment.

A modest uplift in occupancy paired with low-single-digit to mid-single-digit percentage growth in average base rent would support the forecasted revenue and EBIT growth. The gross profit margin of 81.84% in the previous quarter provides a buffer for operating variability; maintaining a similar level this quarter would underpin net profit margin stability around the high-30% range if expense growth remains contained. Executions in re-tenanting and optimizing space for experiential and necessity-based concepts can improve traffic consistency, reinforcing rent pricing power.

Given the company’s scale and tenant diversification, lease rollover risk is manageable, but pockets of retailer rationalization can still create short-term vacancies. The cadence of new store openings and the pipeline of signed replacements will be a focal point. A constructive outcome would be a net positive absorption that enhances occupancy and rent per square foot, validating the mid-single-digit revenue growth trajectory.

Most promising revenue contributor: Core leasing

The leasing segment, which accounted for $1.45 billion last quarter, remains the clear growth anchor this quarter. The forecasted revenue increase of 07.99% and EBIT growth of 10.42% imply healthy operating leverage, provided that rent escalators and tenant sales productivity remain intact. The combination of re-leasing spreads and incremental occupancy should allow revenue to outpace expense growth, sustaining margins.

The key swing factors lie in tenant sales conversion during the holiday shopping period and the balance between new leases and expirations. If leasing spreads remain positive and the company advances new categories like fitness, dining, and entertainment, the blend should support a favorable mix shift within inline space, benefiting average rents. A measured expansion of temporary tenants into permanent leases would also contribute to improved visibility of rent roll and forward cash flows.

Additionally, incremental contributions from specialty leasing, kiosks, and short-term activations can bolster seasonal revenue. While these are smaller in absolute dollars, they enhance utilization and can lift same-property metrics, potentially providing upside to the consensus revenue estimate. The margin impact should be supportive, as these revenues often carry favorable incremental profitability.

Stock price drivers this quarter: Margin trajectory, capital allocation, and development pipeline

Equity performance will hinge on whether operating margins meet or exceed expectations and whether net profit margins stay close to the high-30% range. A stable gross profit margin relative to the prior 81.84% level, combined with prudent expense management, would reinforce the EPS forecast of $1.996. Any deviation in property operating expenses, recoveries, or bad-debt provisioning could alter the net margin trajectory and change the earnings cadence.

Capital allocation updates can shape sentiment. Investors will assess the sustainability of dividends, pace of share repurchases if any, and the return profiles on redevelopment projects. Successful redevelopment execution that enhances rent per square foot and leasing demand should support forward growth expectations and may catalyze upward estimate revisions. Conversely, cost inflation in construction or delays could defer anticipated NOI contributions.

The development and joint venture pipeline remains an important narrative for enduring growth. Clarity on delivery timelines, cost-to-complete, and leasing pre-commitments can de-risk projections. Progress in premium outlet and mixed-use projects could expand the tenant base and diversify revenue streams. If the company demonstrates consistent leasing progress on these projects alongside robust occupancy metrics at existing properties, the market may reward the stock with a valuation premium tied to enhanced growth visibility.

Analyst Opinions

Recent analyst and institutional commentary over the past six months has skewed positive, with the majority expressing constructive views on Simon Property’s operating performance and near-term earnings trajectory relative to consensus. The dominant view highlights the resilience of leasing fundamentals, sustained occupancy, and positive re-leasing spreads that support low- to mid-single-digit revenue growth and healthy margin preservation. Several well-followed institutions emphasize that the company’s scale and high-quality portfolio help it capture retailer consolidation and category rotation, providing a platform for durable rent growth.

Institutions with a bullish stance focus on the company’s capability to defend margins near historical ranges while executing on redevelopment opportunities that raise average rents and improve tenant mix. They point to evidence of ongoing demand from experiential and necessity-based tenants and a steady pipeline of signed leases, which reduce near-term rollover risk. The constructive outlook also reflects expectations that holiday period traffic and sales trends have supported leasing outcomes, underpinning the current quarter’s revenue and EBIT forecasts.

Supportive analysis also notes healthy flow-through from revenue to earnings, with EBIT projected around $0.85 billion and EPS near $1.996 for the quarter, implying disciplined expense management. The net profit margin in the high-30% range last quarter is cited as a reference point for what the company can achieve if operating trends remain favorable. On balance, favorable views outnumber cautious ones, and the prevailing expectation is for the company to at least meet, and potentially modestly exceed, consensus revenue and earnings forecasts through stable occupancy, rent gains, and solid execution in leasing and project delivery.

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

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