NNN REIT (NYSE:NNN) reported higher third-quarter earnings and maintained its full-year outlook, while executives said they are seeking higher acquisition yields after changes in capital markets prompted the company to reprice potential deals.
The real estate investment trust reported adjusted funds from operations, or AFFO, of $0.91 per share, up 5.8% from a year earlier. Core funds from operations rose 5.9% to $0.90 per share.
Chief Financial Officer Vin Chao said results exceeded internal projections, primarily because of lower-than-expected bad debt and higher interest and other income from real estate transactions. About $1 million in settlement and land sale income booked during the quarter is not expected to recur, he said.
The company maintained its 2026 AFFO guidance of $3.55 to $3.59 per share, representing 3.8% growth at the midpoint. It also lowered its full-year bad debt expectation to approximately 25 basis points of annualized base rent from 40 basis points previously, reflecting better-than-expected performance through the first nine months.
Acquisition Pricing Moves Higher
NNN invested $222 million in 76 properties during the third quarter at an initial capitalization rate of 7.3%. Contractual rent increases bring the projected long-term yield on those investments to 8.4%, Chief Executive Officer Steve Horn said. The properties had a weighted average lease term of more than 19 years.
For the first nine months of 2026, the company invested $658 million in 206 properties, also at an initial cap rate of 7.3%. Horn said third-quarter deals were completed or committed before significant moves in debt and equity markets, and that NNN began repricing its acquisition pipeline in mid-September.
Some sellers accepted the revised terms, while others declined, resulting in higher costs for deals that did not close. Horn said NNN is seeing approximately 30 to 40 basis points of upward movement in acquisition cap rates for the fourth quarter and expects yields could rise further in early 2027, assuming market participants adjust to the new environment.
Horn said the company was comfortable with a full-year acquisition guidance midpoint of approximately $750 million but had not provided a 2027 volume outlook. Chao said the fourth-quarter outlook includes some allowance for sellers walking away from deals.
Portfolio and Tenant Performance
NNN ended the quarter with 3,817 freestanding single-tenant properties and occupancy of 99.2%, compared with its long-term historical average of approximately 98%. The portfolio had 31 vacant properties and a weighted average remaining lease term of about 10 years.
The company re-leased five properties during the quarter at 132% of prior rent. Of 36 assets up for renewal, 33 renewed at 105% of prior rent, Horn said. Annualized base rent rose 6.8% year over year to $974 million, supported by acquisitions.
Chao said there had been no material changes to the company’s tenant watch list. NNN is monitoring pressure in quick-service restaurants, some full-service restaurants and entertainment, but does not see an immediate material impact on its portfolio from those areas, he said.
Asked about Dave & Buster’s and Camping World, Chao said property-level performance remained healthy enough that NNN had no immediate concerns, although it was watching both tenants. Horn said convenience-store foot traffic had softened and in-store margins had moderated, but the company was not concerned about rent coverage in that category.
Sales and Financing
NNN sold 32 properties during the quarter, including 11 vacant assets, for $50 million. The company increased its full-year disposition outlook by $30 million at the midpoint to a range of $160 million to $180 million.
Horn said some occupied property sales were defensive moves aimed at strengthening the portfolio. NNN also selectively sells convenience stores and car washes to buyers seeking depreciation benefits, he said.
The company reported $1.4 billion in available liquidity at quarter end, including approximately $204 million in unsettled forward equity. Net debt to EBITDAre was 5.6 times, or 5.3 times on a pro forma basis including the unsettled equity.
Chao said NNN is evaluating financing options for a $350 million bond maturing in December. The bond carries a 3.6% coupon, and refinancing is likely to create some earnings pressure in 2027, he said.
NNN announced a quarterly dividend of $0.62 per share on Oct. 15, up 3.3% from a year earlier. The increase marked the company’s 37th consecutive year of dividend growth.
About NNN REIT (NYSE:NNN)
NNN REIT, Inc is a real estate investment trust that owns and manages freestanding retail properties across the United States. Its portfolio includes properties leased to businesses in a range of retail categories.
The company primarily uses long-term, single-tenant net leases. Under these arrangements, tenants generally pay property expenses such as taxes, insurance and maintenance in addition to rent.
Founded in 1984, the company was formerly known as National Retail Properties before adopting the NNN REIT name in 2023.
