We recently compiled a list of the 11 Best Self Storage and Apartment Stocks to Buy Now and in this article, we discuss whether AvalonBay Communities Inc. (NYSE:AVB) is the most popular stock on our list.
The American dream of sprawling living spaces is undergoing a transformation. Increasing housing costs in densely populated areas and the rising need for frequent relocations have led more people to use self-storage facilities. Furthermore, as families expand and accumulate more belongings, the demand for additional storage space continues to grow.
The self-storage sector experienced many changes from 2020 to 2023. The pandemic fueled a boom, with users increasing by 970,000 and sales volume nearly tripling between 2020 and 2021. This boom was driven by relocations, remote work, and increased online shopping. However, 2022 saw moderation with declining home sales and consumer spending leading to slightly lower rental rates and a sales volume drop. The first three quarters of 2023 continued this trend, with economic factors contributing to a further downturn.
Looking ahead to 2024, the self-storage industry is expected to maintain stable occupancy rates and rental income, driven by the ongoing housing shortage. Although a slight uptick in new facilities (4.4%) is predicted, the housing shortage is likely to continue driving demand. According to Mordor Intelligence, the US self-storage market is projected to reach nearly $50 billion by 2029, reflecting a steady growth rate of 2.44%. This indicates continued investor confidence and a healthy market outlook.
Meanwhile, in the apartment sector, rent growth in 2024 is forecasted to be moderate, ranging from 2.5% to 3.7%. The sector is expected to experience slightly stronger growth in 2025. However, with the potential weakening of the labor market and increased supply, some areas may require rent concessions and reductions.
Overall, the US residential real estate market is experiencing steady growth, valued at $2.5 trillion in 2023. This positive trend is expected to continue as the valuation of this market is projected to reach $2.8 trillion by 2028. This jump in the valuation of the residential real estate market translates to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.04% during the forecast period. Apartments hold a substantial share of the sector’s total demand. This dominance is likely due to the high number of apartment units being completed, with completions up by 26% as of 2023.
A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) property manager inspecting a newly acquired apartment complex.
Our Methodology
We have compiled a list of the best self-storage and apartment stocks to buy based on hedge fund sentiment toward each stock. Our assessment of hedge fund sentiment is derived from Insider Monkey’s database of 919 elite hedge funds as of the first quarter of 2024. The best self-storage and apartment stocks to buy have been ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge fund investors in each company.
“Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).”
Is AvalonBay Communities Inc. (NYSE:AVB) the Most Popular Apartment Stock to Buy?
AvalonBay Communities Inc. (NYSE:AVB)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42
AvalonBay Communities Inc. (NYSE:AVB), a public REIT, invests in apartment buildings. The company owns 79,856 apartment units and operates across key markets, including New England, the New York City metro area, Washington DC, Seattle, and California.
AvalonBay Communities Inc. (NYSE:AVB) delivered positive results in Q1 2024, exceeding analyst expectations with an EPS of $1.22 and FFO per share of $2.73. Furthermore, strong occupancy allowed for higher-than-anticipated rental rates, boosting same-store net operating income by 3.7% year-over-year. This performance led to an increased revenue growth outlook for 2024, now projected at 3.1%.
Overall, analysts have a bullish outlook on AvalonBay Communities Inc. (NYSE:AVB) with at least 5 analysts recommending the stock as a Strong Buy. The company has been assigned a price target of $204, with a revenue growth forecast of 4.2%.
According to Insider Monkey’s Q1 2024 database, 42 hedge funds held a stake in AvalonBay Communities Inc. (NYSE:AVB), up from 29 in the previous quarter. Citadel Investment Group is the leading stakeholder in the company, with a stake worth more than $141 million.
Overall, AvalonBay Communities Inc. (NYSE:AVB) ranks 3rd among the 11 best self-storage and apartment stocks to buy now. You can visit the 11 Best Self-Storage and Apartment Stocks to Buy Now to see the other self-storage and apartment companies that are on the hedge fund radar.
While we acknowledge the potential of self-storage and apartment stocks, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NVIDIA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
Read Next: Michael Burry Is Selling These Stocks and Jim Cramer is Recommending These Stocks.
Disclosure. None. This article is originally published on Insider Monkey.