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CBL & Associates Properties Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 raised, 2 lowered, 2 narrowed, 1 new, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Same-center NOI rose 3.8%: Same-center NOI rose 3.8% in the third quarter and 2.6% for the nine months, compared with the prior-year periods. Source
  • FFO, as adjusted, per share up 23%: FFO, as adjusted, per diluted share was $1.90 for the quarter against $1.55; nine-month FFO, as adjusted, was $5.52 against $4.94. Source
  • Full-year FFO guidance raised: Management raised 2026 FFO, as adjusted, guidance to $7.34-$7.44 per share and same-center NOI change to 0.75%-2.25%. Source
  • 930,000 square feet leased in Q3: Leases signed in the quarter totaled over 930,000 square feet, including about 460,000 square feet of comparable new and renewal leases. Source
  • Portfolio occupancy reached 91.5%: Portfolio occupancy was 91.5% at September 30, 2026, up 130 bps from a year earlier and 110 bps from the second quarter. Source
  • Nearly $1.0 billion refinanced; no maturities to 2028: Year-to-date financings of nearly $1.0 billion addressed 2026 loan maturities; the company said it has no major maturities until 2028. Source
  • New $25.0 million buyback authorized: The Board authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $25.0 million; management said the share price does not reflect the value of the portfolio. Source

“Growth was driven by embedded rent increases, rental increases in renewal leasing and higher occupancy.”

Stephen D. Lebovitz, Chief Executive Officer of CBL Properties

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
FFO, as adjusted, per share Sourcefull-year 2026$7.34 - $7.44Raised from $7.15 - $7.25
Same-center NOI change Sourcefull-year 20260.75% to 2.25%Raised from 0.0% to 1.50%
Same-center NOI in dollars Sourcefull-year 2026$386.3 - $392.1 millionLowered from $389.2 - $395.0 million
Net income Sourcefull-year 2026$112.1 - $115.2 millionRaised from $100.0 - $103.1 million
FFO, as adjusted, in dollars Sourcefull-year 2026$226.7 - $229.8 millionRaised from $221.7 - $224.7 million
Weighted-average share count Sourcefull-year 202630.9 millionLowered from 31.0 million
Expected diluted EPS Sourcefull-year 2026$3.63 - $3.73Raised from $3.04 - $3.14
Maintenance capital and tenant allowances Sourcefull-year 2026$55.0 - $65.0 millionKept
Development and redevelopment expenditures Sourcefull-year 2026$5.0 - $7.0 millionNarrowed, top end cut from $5.0 - $10.0 million
Principal amortization Sourcefull-year 2026$58.0 - $63.0 millionKept
Total capital estimate Sourcefull-year 2026$118.0 - $135.0 millionNarrowed, top end cut from $118.0 - $138.0 million
Quarterly dividend Sourcefourth quarter 2026$0.625 per common shareKept
Stock repurchase authorization Sourcenot statedup to $25.0 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: 2026 FFO, as adjusted, per share guidance raised to $7.34-$7.44 from $7.15-$7.25. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year same-center NOI change guidance raised to 0.75%-2.25% from 0.0%-1.50%. Source
  • Guidance raised: Expected 2026 diluted EPS range raised to $3.63-$3.73 from $3.04-$3.14. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Estimated development and redevelopment expenditures high end lowered to $7.0 million from $10.0 million; total capital estimate lowered to $135.0 million from $138.0 million. Source
  • New: New stock repurchase program of up to $25.0 million authorized on November 4, 2026. Source
  • New: West County Center mortgage refinanced in October with a $135.0 million loan. Source
  • New: Volusia Mall removed from the same-center pool for 2026 guidance. Source
  • New: Old Hickory Mall sale closed in early November. Source
  • New: Firm contract to sell Eastland Mall for $11.3 million, with closing expected in November. Source
  • Ended: Section 382 five-year recognition period ended on November 1, 2026. Source

Results and full-year guidance

  • Same-center NOI rose 3.8%: Same-center NOI rose 3.8% in the third quarter and 2.6% for the nine months, compared with the prior-year periods. Source
  • FFO, as adjusted, per share up 23%: FFO, as adjusted, per diluted share was $1.90 for the quarter against $1.55; nine-month FFO, as adjusted, was $5.52 against $4.94. Source
  • Full-year FFO guidance raised: Management raised 2026 FFO, as adjusted, guidance to $7.34-$7.44 per share and same-center NOI change to 0.75%-2.25%. Source
  • Q3 diluted EPS was $0.37: Net income attributable to common shareholders was $0.37 per diluted share for the quarter against $2.38, and $3.31 for nine months against $2.78. Source
  • Fourth quarter comparisons to reflect refunds: Management said fourth-quarter comparisons will reflect tax refunds and bad debt recoveries recognized in the prior-year period. Source

Leasing and tenant sales

  • 930,000 square feet leased in Q3: Leases signed in the quarter totaled over 930,000 square feet, including about 460,000 square feet of comparable new and renewal leases. Source
  • Comparable rents up 6.8%: Comparable lease spreads averaged 6.8% in the quarter; management said new leases came in 34% above prior rents. Source
  • Trailing sales per square foot up 3.6%: Trailing twelve-month same-center sales per square foot reached $463, up 3.6% from $447 a year earlier; Q3 same-center sales rose about 3.0%. Source

“Leasing demand remains high as our leasing team signed more than 930,000 square feet of new and renewal leases in the quarter, adding $4.6 million in net new annual rent.”

Stephen D. Lebovitz, Chief Executive Officer of CBL Properties

Occupancy and property segments

  • Portfolio occupancy reached 91.5%: Portfolio occupancy was 91.5% at September 30, 2026, up 130 bps from a year earlier and 110 bps from the second quarter. Source
  • Open-air occupancy eased, others rose: Open-air occupancy was 94.3% against 95.3%; All Other Properties rose to 96.1% from 91.0%, and outlet centers to 94.1% from 92.0%. Source
  • Outlet and malls led NOI growth: Q3 same-center NOI rose 8.2% in outlet centers, 2.6% in lifestyle centers, 4.9% in open-air centers, and 3.4% in malls, which total $65.6 million. Source

Costs and same-center NOI drivers

  • Rental revenue growth drove NOI: Same-center rental revenue rose $6.4 million on higher occupancy and a $0.4 million increase in percentage rent. Source
  • Real estate taxes and repairs rose: Maintenance and repairs rose $1.5 million and real estate taxes rose $1.5 million, mainly from prior-year tax refunds; property operating expense fell $0.4 million. Source
  • Uncollectable revenue estimate helped Q3: The estimate for uncollectable revenues favorably affected the quarter by about $1.9 million. Source

“Yesterday, our Board of Directors approved a new $25.0 million stock repurchase program, reflecting our view that the current share price does not reflect the value of our portfolio or the cash flow it is generating.”

Stephen D. Lebovitz, Chief Executive Officer of CBL Properties

Debt and refinancing

  • Nearly $1.0 billion refinanced; no maturities to 2028: Year-to-date financings of nearly $1.0 billion addressed 2026 loan maturities; the company said it has no major maturities until 2028. Source
  • West County Center loan cash sweep removed: The $135.0 million West County Center loan has a five-year term and a fixed rate of 7.4%; it removes the cash sweep and unlocks over $7.0 million of annual free cash flow. Source
  • Debt coverage ratio at 2.5x: Adjusted EBITDAre to interest expense was 2.5x for the quarter and 2.4x for the nine months, against 2.2x in each prior-year period. Source

Dispositions and loan resolutions

  • Gross sale proceeds above $101.3 million: Year-to-date gross sale proceeds at CBL's share exceeded $101.3 million, including the Hammock Landing sale in May. Source
  • Minimal-NOI malls being sold: Management said Old Hickory Mall and Eastland Mall generate minimal NOI, and their sales fit the strategy of unlocking value from land and other assets. Source
  • Six loans being resolved: Six non-recourse loans totaling about $266.7 million at CBL's share are being resolved through sale, foreclosure or conveyance, which would eliminate the associated debt. Source
  • Arbor Place and Parkdale in discussions: CBL is in discussions with lenders for Arbor Place Mall ($81.6 million) and Parkdale Mall and Crossing ($46.8 million), intending to cooperate with sale, foreclosure or conveyance. Source

Cash, dividend and buyback

  • Cash and securities of $366.7 million: Unrestricted cash and marketable securities were $366.7 million at September 30, 2026, including $15.8 million of CBL's share of joint venture cash. Source
  • Quarterly dividend held at $0.625: The fourth-quarter dividend is $0.625 per share, payable December 31, 2026, to holders of record on December 14, 2026. Source
  • New $25.0 million buyback authorized: The Board authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $25.0 million; management said the share price does not reflect the value of the portfolio. Source
  • Capital expenditures rose in Q3: Total capital expenditures were $25.2 million for the quarter against $16.3 million, including $11.9 million of tenant allowances. Source

Tax attributes and 2027 flexibility

  • Section 382 recognition period ended: The five-year Section 382 recognition period that followed emergence from bankruptcy expired on November 1, 2026, removing the limit tied to the 2021 ownership change. Source
  • Asset sales may use tax losses in 2027: In 2027, CBL may be able to use this flexibility by disposing of assets with large tax losses. Source
  • Possible return-of-capital dividend treatment: Management said such disposals could result in more favorable return-of-capital tax treatment for dividends, which defers taxation until cost basis is recovered. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 November 2026

  • Eastland Mall sale closing in November: The Eastland Mall sale for $11.3 million is expected to close in November, subject to customary closing conditions; the buyer's deposit is non-refundable. Source
  • Volusia Mall loan maturity extended: Volusia Mall loan maturity was extended to January 2027 under a modification closed in October. Source
  • Fourth-quarter dividend payment date: The $0.625 fourth-quarter dividend is payable December 31, 2026, to holders of record as of December 14, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
FFO, as adjusted, per diluted share Source$1.90 for Q3 2026; $5.52 for nine months
FFO per diluted share Source$1.05 for Q3 2026; $5.76 for nine months
Occupancy Source91.5% at September 30, 2026
Same-center NOI change Source3.8% for Q3 2026; 2.6% for nine months
Leasing spreads Source6.8% comparable new and renewal, Q3 2026; 7.3% nine months, all property types
Acquisitions and dispositions SourceGross sales proceeds at CBL's share of more than $101.3 million, year-to-date
Leverage (Adjusted EBITDAre to interest expense) Source2.5x for Q3 2026; 2.4x for nine months

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Laredo loan of $30.7 million at 100% matures November 2026; the partners are evaluating refinancing, conveyance, or sale of the property. Source
  • Financial: Non-cash default interest on loans past maturity is included in Q3 and nine-month interest expense, including one loan dating to November 1, 2020. Source
  • Operational: Bankruptcy-related store closures of about 68,000 square feet reduced mall occupancy by nearly 50 basis points in the quarter. Source
  • Regulatory: Future tax treatment and shareholder taxation depend on Internal Revenue Code changes and on asset sales with significant losses. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: The second-quarter release expected the Northwoods refinancing to release over $3.0 million; the third-quarter release says it did.

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.