Post Properties, Inc.
(
PPS
), a real estate investment trust (REIT), has recently declared a
third quarter 2012 dividend of 25 cents per share or $1.00 on an
annualized basis. The dividend is payable in cash on October 15,
2012, to shareholders of record on September 28.
The quarterly dividend represents a 13.6% year-over-year increase
to that paid in the year-ago quarter. Post Properties expects to
maintain this dividend payout for the remainder of 2012. Based on
the closing price of $50.76, the current dividend yield is fairly
decent, at approximately 2.0%.
A steady dividend payout facilitates the long-term strategy of Post
Properties to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns to its
stockholders. Investors looking for high dividend yields are
increasingly favoring REITs like Post Properties. Solid dividend
payouts are arguably the biggest enticement for REIT investors as
U.S. law requires REITs to distribute 90% of their annual taxable
income in the form of dividends to shareholders.
Post Properties intends to pay its dividends from operating cash
flows. The company maintains a conservative dividend payout ratio
to maintain an optimum mix of investments to fuel its growth engine
as well as to strengthen its balance sheet by reducing debt and
increasing its liquidity.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Post Properties develops and
operates luxury multi-family apartment communities under the
renowned Post brand since its formation in 1971. The company
presently operates in 10 markets across the U.S., with ownership
interests in 21,982 apartment units in 59 communities. These
include 1,471 apartment units in four communities held in
unconsolidated entities and 1,810 apartment units in six
communities currently under development or in lease-up stage.
We currently have an Outperform recommendation on Post Properties,
which retains a Zacks #1 Rank that translates into a short-term
Strong Buy rating. However, we have a Neutral recommendation and a
Zacks #2 Rank (short-term Buy rating) for
Equity Residential
(
EQR
), one of the competitors of Post Properties.
EQUITY RESIDENT (EQR): Free Stock Analysis
Report
POST PPTYS INC (PPS): Free Stock Analysis
Report
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