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CBL & Associates Properties Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 13 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 12 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter FFO per share rose: FFO, as adjusted, per share was $2.25 for the fourth quarter, up from $1.92, and $7.21 for the full year, up from $6.69. Source
  • Same-center NOI grew in Q4: Fourth-quarter same-center NOI rose 3.3%, or $3.8 million. Full-year same-center NOI grew 0.5%, or $2.0 million. Source
  • Same-center occupancy held flat: Same-center occupancy for malls, lifestyle centers and outlet centers held at 88.6%. Portfolio occupancy fell 30 basis points to 90.0% at year-end. Source
  • Lenders in talks on three malls: The company is in discussions with lenders on Jefferson Mall ($48.99 million), Arbor Place Mall ($85.5 million) and Gettysburg ($19.4 million). It intends to cooperate with foreclosure or conveyance. Source
  • Four enclosed malls acquired: The company acquired Ashland Town Center, Mesa Mall, Paddock Mall and Southgate Mall from Washington Prime Group. Management described the purchase at mid-teens cap rates. Source
  • 2026 FFO per share guided: FFO, as adjusted, per share is guided at $6.74 to $7.06 for 2026 on a weighted-average share count of 31.2 million. Source
  • Same-center NOI range spans both directions: Same-center NOI for 2026 is guided at $396.3 million to $405.6 million, a change of (1.2)% to 1.1%. Source

“We were particularly proud of the more than 34% total return to shareholders for the year including $2.50 per share in total dividends.”

Stephen D. Lebovitz, Chief Executive Officer of CBL Properties

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
FFO, as adjusted, per share Source2026$6.74 - $7.06New
Same-center NOI change Sourcefull-year 2026(1.2)% to 1.1%New
Same-center NOI dollars Source2026$396.3 million to $405.6 millionNew
FFO, as adjusted (dollars) Source2026$210.2 million to $220.2 millionNew
Expected diluted EPS Source2026$0.60 to $0.92New
Net income Source2026$23.6 million to $33.6 millionNew
Capital items Source2026$155.0 million to $170.0 millionNew
Net impact from leasing activity (same-center NOI bridge) Source2026$4.0 million to $8.5 millionNew
Operating expense (same-center NOI bridge) Source2026(3.5) to (1.5) millionNew
Uncollectable revenue variance (same-center NOI bridge) Source2026(3.0) to (2.0) millionNew
Percentage rent (same-center NOI bridge) Source2026(1.5) at the low endNew
Credit loss (same-center NOI bridge) Source2026(1.0) to (0.8) millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: 2026 FFO, as adjusted, per share guidance was initiated at $6.74 to $7.06. Source
  • New guidance: 2026 same-center NOI guidance was initiated, with a change of (1.2)% to 1.1%. Source
  • New: After year-end, the lender on the Jefferson Mall loan notified the company that the loan was in default. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Fourth-quarter FFO per share rose: FFO, as adjusted, per share was $2.25 for the fourth quarter, up from $1.92, and $7.21 for the full year, up from $6.69. Source
  • Same-center NOI grew in Q4: Fourth-quarter same-center NOI rose 3.3%, or $3.8 million. Full-year same-center NOI grew 0.5%, or $2.0 million. Source
  • Net income per share increased: Net income attributable to common shareholders was $1.56 per share for the fourth quarter, against $1.22, and $4.34 for the year, against $1.87. Source

Occupancy and leasing

  • Same-center occupancy held flat: Same-center occupancy for malls, lifestyle centers and outlet centers held at 88.6%. Portfolio occupancy fell 30 basis points to 90.0% at year-end. Source
  • Store closures offset occupancy gains: Bankruptcy-related closures, including Forever21, JoAnn, Claire's and Party City, covered about 107,000 square feet and reduced mall occupancy by nearly 75 basis points. Source
  • Full-year leasing volume and rents: More than 4.0 million square feet of leases were executed in 2025. Comparable new and renewal leases of 2.4 million square feet were signed at a 2.6% higher average rent. Source
  • Q4 comparable rents declined: Fourth-quarter comparable leases of about 759,000 square feet were signed at a 2.9% lower average rent, driven by mall renewal spreads of (5.3)% and new mall leases up nearly 15%. Source

“We also made major progress improving our balance sheet and positioning our company for solid cash flow generation and long-term growth.”

Stephen D. Lebovitz, Chief Executive Officer of CBL Properties

Tenant sales and segments

  • Tenant sales rose in Q4: Same-center tenant sales per square foot rose about 3.7% in the fourth quarter. For 2025 they reached $437, up 2.8% from the prior year. Source
  • Lifestyle centers led NOI growth: Fourth-quarter NOI rose 16.3% at lifestyle centers and 2.2% at malls, while outlet centers fell 0.3%. Source
  • Top 25 tenants hold 34%: The top 25 tenants, with 1,253 stores, made up 34.15% of total annualized revenues, including the company's proportionate share. Source

Operating costs

  • Q4 operating expense fell: Operating expense fell $0.5 million in the fourth quarter, mainly from real estate tax refunds received in the period. Source
  • Full-year operating expense rose: Operating expense rose $6.0 million for 2025, mainly from one-time real estate and franchise tax refunds received in 2024, plus higher utility and maintenance costs. Source
  • Uncollectable estimate added to Q4: The estimate for uncollectable revenues added about $0.8 million to fourth-quarter results. Source

“As we look ahead to 2026, we are focused on building on the progress achieved in 2025 by further strengthening our balance sheet,”

Stephen D. Lebovitz, Chief Executive Officer of CBL Properties

Financing and debt

  • Lenders in talks on three malls: The company is in discussions with lenders on Jefferson Mall ($48.99 million), Arbor Place Mall ($85.5 million) and Gettysburg ($19.4 million). It intends to cooperate with foreclosure or conveyance. Source
  • Term loan extended to 2026: The non-recourse term loan was extended one year, to November 2026, on November 1, 2025. Source
  • Port Orange loan cut rate: A new $43.0 million, five-year loan on The Pavilion at Port Orange carries a fixed 5.9% rate, against 7.57% previously. Source
  • Southpark Mall placed in receivership: Southpark Mall in Colonial Heights, VA, was placed into receivership in July and deconsolidated after loss of control. The company is cooperating with the lender on foreclosure. Source

Transactions and portfolio moves

  • Four enclosed malls acquired: The company acquired Ashland Town Center, Mesa Mall, Paddock Mall and Southgate Mall from Washington Prime Group. Management described the purchase at mid-teens cap rates. Source
  • Beal Bank loan increased: The Beal Bank loan rose $110.0 million to $443.0 million, and its initial maturity moved to October 2030. Source
  • Dispositions brought in proceeds: Dispositions in 2025 generated about $240.7 million of gross proceeds, including the October sale of Fremaux Town Center. Source

Capital and shareholder returns

  • Quarterly dividend set at $0.45: The company announced a $0.45 quarterly dividend on February 11, 2026, equal to $1.80 annually. Source
  • Shares repurchased for $18.0 million: CBL bought back 573,998 shares for $18.0 million in 2025. Source
  • Unrestricted cash and securities: Unrestricted cash and marketable securities totaled $335.4 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Total shareholder return above 34%: Management cited a total return to shareholders of more than 34% for 2025, including $2.50 per share in total dividends. Source

2026 guidance

  • 2026 FFO per share guided: FFO, as adjusted, per share is guided at $6.74 to $7.06 for 2026 on a weighted-average share count of 31.2 million. Source
  • Same-center NOI range spans both directions: Same-center NOI for 2026 is guided at $396.3 million to $405.6 million, a change of (1.2)% to 1.1%. Source
  • Leasing expected to add NOI: Net impact from new and renewal leasing is estimated to add $4.0 million to $8.5 million to 2026 same-center NOI. Source
  • Operating expense and collection items: Operating expense is shown as a (3.5) million to (1.5) million item, and the uncollectable revenue variance as (3.0) million to (2.0) million. Source
  • 2026 capital plan totals: Capital items for 2026 total $155.0 million to $170.0 million, covering maintenance, development and principal amortization. Source
  • Diluted EPS range for 2026: Expected diluted EPS for 2026 is $0.60 to $0.92, with net income guided at $23.6 million to $33.6 million. Source

Strategy and development

  • Portfolio optimization continues: Management said it is focused on strengthening the balance sheet and pursuing portfolio optimization to improve asset quality and growth. Source
  • Mayfaire hotel opened in August: The Mayfaire Town Center hotel development opened in August 2025 with an 11.0% initial unleveraged yield. Source
  • North Italia redevelopment completed: The North Italia redevelopment at Friendly Center opened in December 2025 with an 8.1% initial unleveraged yield. Source

Coming up, as management said on 13 February 2026

  • Term loan extension test in 2026: The company anticipates meeting the second extension test in November 2026 through amortization, enabling a further extension to November 2027. Source
  • Dividend payable March 31, 2026: The $0.45 per share dividend is payable March 31, 2026, to holders of record as of March 17, 2026. Source
  • York Town Center loan matures June 2026: The extended York Town Center loan carries a 6.0% fixed rate and matures in June 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
FFO, as adjusted, per share Source$2.25 Q4 2025 (vs $1.92); $7.21 full year 2025 (vs $6.69)
Occupancy SourceSame-center malls, lifestyle and outlet centers 88.6%; portfolio 90.0%
Same-center NOI Source3.3% Q4 2025; 0.5% full year 2025
Leasing spreads Source(2.9)% Q4 2025 comparable average rent; 2.6% full year 2025
Acquisitions and dispositions Source$178.9 million acquisition; about $240.7 million disposition gross proceeds
Leverage (Adjusted EBITDAre to interest expense) Source2.7x Q4 2025; 2.4x full year 2025

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: The lender notified the company after year-end that the Jefferson Mall loan was in default, and the property may be returned to the lender. Source
  • Financial: On original maturity dates, about 50.22% of CBL's share of consolidated, unconsolidated and other debt matures in 2026. Source
  • Demand: Management expects a reserve for tenants that may file for bankruptcy or close stores, shown as a (1.0) million to (0.8) million item in the 2026 bridge. Source
  • Demand: Percentage rent is expected to be limited by higher breakpoints upon lease renewal and conversion of percentage rent to base rent. Source
  • Operational: Southpark Mall is in receivership, and the company is cooperating with the lender on a foreclosure of the asset. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Full-year results were described as near the high-end of the guidance range. Source
  • Not stated: The company intends to cooperate with the foreclosure or conveyance of the properties in satisfaction of the debt. Source
  • Not stated: The company is cooperating with the lender to facilitate a foreclosure of Southpark Mall. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.